Preview of the Malaysia-South Korea friendly match

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THE mouth-watering friendly match to commemorate the diplomatic ties between Malaysia and South Korea on July 25 will rekindle memories of the fierce rivalry that coloured the domestic scene in the 1970s.

The fixture is a throwback to yesteryear, when the Malaysian team that had names such as Soh Chin Aun and Mokhtar Dahari was on par, if not stronger than South Korea.

Although the Koreans have made greater strides over the years, including appearing in seven successive World Cups since 1986, Malaysia in contrast is working hard to raise their game following a gold medal in the biennial SEA Games in Laos in 2009.

Coach K. Rajagobal will lead his Under-23 team against Hong Myung-bo’s charges at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. Kick off is at 5.0pm.

The last time the Koreans visited Kuala Lumpur for a friendly match, Anatoly Byshovets’ Olympic squad lost 2-1 to the Malaysian senior team in the Merdeka Tournament in 1995.

The Koreans are managed by star player-turned-coach, Myung-bo, a potential candidate to replace Huh Jung-moo as the senior team coach.

Myung-bo, a four-time World Cupper and Bronze Ball winner at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, has seen his managerial career continue to rise after leading the Korean Under-20 side to the last eight in the FIFA Under-20 World Championship in Egypt last year.

The result earned him the appointment to the team that will attempt to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.

Myung-bo is aiming high for the Guangzhou stint as any South Korean athlete who win an Olympic medal or an Asian Games gold medal will be excused from the mandatory national service. If his team wins the Asiad gold, he will have his best available players for the Olympic qualifiers.

Four players from the squad that advanced to the second round of the recently-concluded FIFA World Cup in South Africa are eligible for selection for the qualifiers proper.

They are Bolton Wanderers right winger, Lee Chung Yong, FC Seoul attacker, Lee Seung Yeoul, left-footed Oita Trinita midfielder, Kim Bo Kyung and Celtic midfielder Ki Sung Yueng. However they are not selected for the Malaysian trip.

Myung-bo has named a 20-strong squad and notable among them are two players who featured in Egypt last year – Kim Dong-sub who is on loan from Shimizu S-Pulse to Tokushima Vortis in Japan and Park Hee-sung. Others include goalkeepers Yang Han-bin of Gangwon FC and Lee Bum-soo of Jeonbuk and defender Jung Dong-ho of Yokohama.

Expectations are high that Myung-bo would carry the team to the gold in Asiad. The team's stint in Kuala Lumpur has attracted a group of Pressmen from Seoul.

The possible line-up for Malaysian team will feature keeper Farizal Marlias, attacker Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak and Khyril Muhymeen Zambri as well as defenders Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak and Muslim Ahmad.

Prior to the kick-off, highlights of the evening to commemorate the 50^th diplomatic ties, is The Cultural Performances. Spectators are welcome to witness and be entertained with eye-catching Malaysian Cultural Show that will take place at 3.45pm, followed by a colourful Korean Cultural Show and a taekwondo presentation during half time, which will commence approximately at 6.00pm.

Tickets are priced at RM30 for grandstand and RM10 and RM5 for children. Tickets will be on sale on match day beginning 10.0am.

NOTE:

Kindly be informed that there will be two (2) Press Conferences will be held as follows :

1. Press Conference after the Team Managers' meeting:

Date: 24 July 2010

Venue: Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil, Bilik Komanwel

Time: 4.00pm

2. Press Conference after the match:

Date : 25 July 2010

Venue: Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil, Bilik Olimpik

Time: 7.00pm

Media accreditation will be issued following the PC on the 24 July 2010.

sumber : FAM