Group G Match 14 - Korea Republic Vs Togo
Group G Match 14 - Korea Republic _ Vs Togo _
* Tuesday, June 13th 2006
* Kick Off Time: 15:00 CET
* Venue: FIFA World Cup Stadium, Frankfurt
* Referee: POLL Graham
Goals:
N/A
On 13 June at 15:00 CET, Korea Republic kick off their Group G programme against FIFA World Cup™ newcomers Togo, with more than 48,000 fans set to enjoy the action at the FIFA World Cup Stadium in Frankfurt. FIFAworldcup.com takes a closer look at a pivotal match for both sides' hopes of a place in the last 16.
Colours for the game
Korea Republic: red shirt, white shorts, red socks
Togo: yellow shirt, green shorts, white socks
The players
Korea Republic coach Dick Advocaat has included ten veterans of the squad that reached the semi-finals four years ago on home soil, including defensive stalwart Choi Jin-Cheul. However, Eintracht Frankfurt forward Cha Doo-Ri will miss out on the chance to play in front of his home fans, having been omitted from the Dutch strategist’s final 23. Meanwhile, Togo coach Otto Pfister is putting his faith in the ambition and drive of his relatively young squad. Veteran defender and captain Jean-Paul Abalo acts as Pfister’s lieutenant out on the pitch, and plays a vital role in keeping his team-mates on their toes.
How they qualified
Korea Republic secured their place in Germany with a second-placed finish in Group A of the Asian Zone, their three wins, one draw and two defeats, bettered only by Saudi Arabia. Togo nipped in ahead of continental giants Senegal, quarter-finalists at Korea/Japan 2002, to top Group 1 of the African preliminaries with seven wins, two draws and a solitary defeat. This summer’s tournament in Germany will be the African side’s first-ever FIFA World Cup finals.
Past meetings
The two teams have yet to face each other in an international match.
Tournament history
This is Togo’s first FIFA World Cup finals adventure, whereas old hands Korea Republic are appearing for the seventh time. After making their debut at Switzerland 1954, Korea Republic had to wait 48 years for their first win, but on home soil in 2002, they took the tournament by storm, defeating European heavyweights Portugal, Italy and Spain on their way to the semi-finals.
Key contest
This game could be a real nail-biter, with the difference between victory and defeat likely to be decided by finishing power. Korea Republic are placing their hopes on Duisburg-based striker Ahn Jung-Hwan, scorer of pinpoint headers against the USA and Italy last time around. Leading the line for Togo will be Emmanuel Adebayor, whose 11-goal haul made him the most prolific scorer in African qualifying. The Arsenal player’s massive importance to the team was underlined during Togo’s early exit from the 2006 CAF African Cup of Nations, the striker barely featuring after a clash with former coach Stephen Keshi. The match with Korea Republic is a great opportunity for the lanky forward to set the record straight.
The coaches
Advocaat, the Netherlands’ very own 'Little General', is under pressure to lead Korea Republic to another good performance at Germany 2006, after their now-legendary charge to the semi-finals four years ago. Since taking on the Korea Republic job last September, Advocaat has spent nine months building a balanced team, blending veterans of the 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign with up-and-coming stars.
Togo’s German coach Pfister, for his part, has built a reputation in Africa as something of a footballing evangelist. Since moving to the continent in 1972, he has taken charge of national teams in Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Zaire and Ghana. Pfister, appointed barely 100 days before the start of the tournament, is now preparing for his first big test as Togo national team coach.
Match Report and Result
Coming Soon.
