Arena - wary of South Korea. (Allsport)
ARENA FEARS CONFIDENT KOREANS
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United States coach Bruce Arena is under no
illusions about the size of the task faced by his side when they face hosts
Korea on Monday.
A second-round place could await the winners and although the USA shocked
Portugal in their Group D opener, the Koreans set out their stall with an
impressive defeat of Poland.
"We've known all along that this would be a very difficult game," said
Arena.
"The Korean team has a lot of momentum, they have played quite well over the
last four weeks. And they have a lot of confidence.
"We know that going into Daegu that with the crowd behind them, and the warm
conditions, and the momentum that the Korean team has, that is going to be an
extremely difficult match.
"However, I feel that our team has a lot of momentum as well going into this
game, and we have a lot of confidence that we can win this game and we will do
our best to earn three points.
"We would like to win."
Arena also reserved praise for the job done by opposite number Guus Hiddink.
The Dutchman has moulded the hosts from also-rans to a competitive outfit who
emphatically gained their first ever finals victory last week over Poland.
"I observed them in the Confederations Cup, and they were a shadow of the
team they are today," added Arena.
"Certainly Guus has brought great organisation, has improved their fitness
level considerably.
"He's selected the right players, has put them in the right spots and has
found a system that works for the players they have.
"Overall, you would have to say he has done an outstanding job with this
team."
Arena confirmed that he had not finalised his first-choice team as he was
still waiting on the fitness of mainstays Earnie Stewart, Claudio Reyna and
Clint Mathis.
"We are not certain which players yet will be available tomorrow," he
added.
"We will travel today, and then look at them at training and make a decision
tonight or tomorrow morning on our starting XI."
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