Myung-Bo - confident Korea can progress (Allsport)

By David Anderson, PA Sport, in Seoul

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South Korea captain Hong Myung-bo sounded a defiant battlecry before their World Cup semi-final when he claimed: "We can beat Germany."

Hong, who scored the winning penalty in the spot-kick win over Spain in the quarter-finals, insisted all the Korean players are confident they can make it to Sunday's final at Yokohama.

Speaking before Korea's final training session in the Seoul World Cup stadium ahead of Tuesday's game he said: "We don't fear any strong opponent, we're not scared of anyone.

"We regard the Seoul stadium as our home ground and everybody is looking forward to playing there.

"We have defeated Italy and Spain and if we play well we can get the same the result as before.

"We feel we can beat anyone if we play like we did against Italy and Spain.

"We're confident that we'll be going to Yokohama for the final."

The build-up to the biggest match in Korea's history continues to be overshadowed by the controversy over the refereeing at the Portugal, Italy and Spain games.

Hong, who scored in Korea's 3-2 defeat to Germany at USA 94 in the only previous meeting between the sides, has little time for such talk.

He said: "We don't care about that. What is gone is gone. Our team's achievements will not be overshadowed by such controversy."

Hong, who is playing in his fourth World Cup, will win his 131st cap against Germany and he is wary of the aerial threat of the Germans.

The centre-half has warned Korea must not concede many corners or free-kicks in dangerous positions.

"They're very tall and good in the air and we should be cautious about that," he said.

"We can't give chances to them and they are so good from set-pieces like corners and free-kicks.

"We should be cautious when we defend against them."

Korea could be without midfielder Kim Nam-il and golden boy Ahn Jung-hwan, who have ankle injuries, and Hong admitted they could both miss out.

"They are injured and I don't know if they will be fit," he confessed.

Hong also dismissed the suggestion that the Korean players' incredible stamina comes from drinking ginseng tea.

He claimed it was down to sheer hard work rather than any herbal stimulant and he said: "It's true that some players drink ginseng tea, but we've practised hard for the final and that's why we are in such good condition."