Koreans aim to stop Aussie juggernaut

Doha: Today's crucial Australia-South Korea clash will not only decide the group's winner, but could be a dress rehearsal for the Asian Cup final going by the sheer prowess of the two teams.

While Australia cruised to a 4-0 win over minnows India, South Korea had it a bit tougher in their 2-1 win against Bahrain, a game which they played with ten men after a red card.

Both teams have played in the Fifa World Cup 2010 and while Australia at 26 are the highest ranked Asian nation, South Korea ranked 39 ranks third inAsia.

Australia has the added advantage of 19 of its members, including Tim Cahill, playing their club football outside Australia — seven of them play in England.

As for South Korea, skipper Park Ji-sung — a Manchester United midfielder — and nine of his Korean teammates play in Europe and elsewhere.

Coaches of both teams have promised to go all out and a large crowd is expected for tonight's clash at the Al Gharafa Stadium.

Australia's German coach Holger Osieck said: "We want to win the game and what is beyond we will have to see. Our main task is the game and we want to focus and fulfil our expectations.

"It's no secret that we know about their individual strengths and quality of individual players, but on the other hand we don't have anything to hide. We have quality players as well and it will be interesting to see who is in the best form on the day.

"We want to prove we are doing better and we are sure Korea has the same ambition. We want to prove we can be the better team."

Cahill struck twice in Australia's win against India, but the Aussies seemed to relax a bit after taking a 3-0 lead. Osieck said they will step it up today.

South Korea's coach Cho Kwang-rae said: "Most teams are keen on the group leadership so it will be a tough game. We need to control the game if we have to win. The Australians switch play between both the flanks and they also send in a lot of balls from the flanks. My defenders will have to take care of this."