Life Ticker
Java-enabled browser required to view latest information
Latest Headlines
Live Action
Team Sections
Fixtures
Results
Standings
Match Reports
TV Schedule
Top Scorers
Analysis
Message Boards
Squads
Poll
Venues
Fantasy Flops
Sven's Men
Memory Lane
Betting Zone
Latest Odds
Travel Guide
Competition
World Cup Games
 
 
  USA

HEAVY SECURITY FOR USA GAME

By Martyn Ziegler, PA Chief Sports Reporter, Seoul

Click here to place your World Cup bets!
Click here for USA team section
Click here for South Korea team section
Click here for teams index
Click here for latest World Cup headlines
Click here for World Cup photo gallery
Click here for World Cup Bettingzone

Thousands of heavily-armed security forces have been drafted in ahead of Monday's World Cup meeting between Korea and USA in Daegu.

The match has been given the highest security rating of any game at the tournament, as not only are USA considered the most likely target for a terrorist attack but there is also considerable anti-American feeling in the country.

FIFA's security chief Walter Gagg said on Sunday: "We will be prepared for every kind of terrorist attack, including taking anti-biological and aerial measures.

"As well as this there is always a team of heavily-armed security personnel which travel with the USA each time they move.

"It will be the toughest security to date, and a special group of American intelligence officers which take care of the team will be working very closely with Korean security officers."

There were over 11,500 security people in the Seoul stadium for the opening game of the World Cup and that is expected to be at least matched in Daegu.

Conscious of the threat of a September 11-style attack, Korean fighter planes will scour the skies while scientists will monitor the air around the stadium to ensure there is no chemical or biological warfare attack.

Tensions towards the US exist with many Koreans. The presence of 37,000 American troops, the steel trade war between the countries and sporting rivalries have combined to make relations frosty.

Relations have dipped to freezing since the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City earlier this year, when speed skater Kim Dong-sung was disqualified from a gold medal position in favour of the American runner-up Apolo Anton Ohno, who claimed he had been blocked by the Korean.

The decision by an Australian judge led to protests not only from Korean team officials, but also by thousands of Seoul inhabitants who surrounded the US embassy.

As a result of the tense situation, Korean president Kim Dae-jung has announced he will not attend the game in Daegu "because of the emotional nature of the match", and anti-American protests outside the ground have been prohibited.


 
Group D Standings
South Korea 7
USA 4
Portugal 3
Poland 3

USA Fixtures

USA Shop

Meet The Coach

Player Profiles

Team Sections