Friedel - Koreans should come to Europe (Allsport)

By Paul Walker, PA Sport, Daegu

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United States hero Brad Friedel knows a thing or two about moving to Europe and forging a respected footballing career.

He fought for over five years for acceptance in England and overcame the grave doubts about the worth of American stars in Europe's top leagues.

But he proved himself with Galatasaray before finally breaking into the English game at Liverpool.

Now the Blackburn Rovers player is prepared to tell the previously-unknown South Koreans to take the risk and try for their luck in the best leagues in the world.

He said: "I have no doubts about them. They can all play in European leagues."

Friedel saw first hand on Tuesday, in a crunch Group D match, how good the South Koreans are.

He performed heroics in goal, including saving a penalty, to ensure a 1-1 draw for the US.

Despite South Korea's powerhouse destruction of Poland and a string of impressive build-up displays against Finland, Scotland, England and France - losing only the final one against the current world champions - there is always doubts whether Asian stars can crack it in the west.

Only two of this current Korea squad - Ahn Jung-Hwan at Perugia and Seol Ki-Hyeon at Anderlecht - have taken the step to play in Europe.

But Friedel said: "I think all of them could play in Europe to be honest. If they want to, they could have their chances - no doubt.

"They had skill and drive and are all very good players who would find clubs easily in Europe.

"Currently only two of them do so, but the rest are just as good, they could all make it.

"They are the fittest team that we have played. They are a great tribute to their country and I believe that Portugal are going to have their hands full against them in the last group match."

Portugal's 4-0 mauling of Poland means Antonio Oliveira's men will be a much tougher proposition than the already-eliminated Poles that the USA face.

The States meet Poland on Friday in Daejeon knowing that a point will be enough to send them into the second phase.

Friedel said: "I feel confident and the whole team feels confident, we look like a team and we are going to be very, very difficult to beat in this tournament.

"We only need a point, but we must approach our last game as if we need a win.

"If we try for a point then you become too defensive and you don't get out of your own half."

Friedel became the first keeper in the tournament to stop a penalty and also reckoned the marvellous wall of sound produced by 60,000 Koreans in the stadium was anything but intimidating.

He said: "I didn't find the atmosphere intimidating, I have played in worse, notably when I played in Istanbul.

"The South Koreans have always been very kind to us, waving and being friendly, never hostile.

"The stadium had a good atmosphere but not a hostile one. That wasn't intimidating, it was a good football atmosphere."

The USA have continued to impress in their group, much credit going to a strong defence and Friedel's expertise in goal.

He said: "We know that at the beginning of every game we are going to have to weather some sort of storm.

"We did OK against Portugal in that situation and we didn't do bad against Korea either. We are a very difficult side to beat."