- Title: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - South Korea eye Asian Cup title
- Date: 7th January 2011
- Summary: ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (JANUARY 6, 2010) (REUTERS) WIDE OF SOUTH KOREA TRAINING CLOSE-UP OF BALLS ON PITCH SOUTH KOREA TEAM TRAINING IN PROGRESS SOUTH KOREA GOALKEEPERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED STAR AND SOUTH KOREA CAPTAIN PARK JI-SUNG, SAYING "We have to get through the group stage, Bahrain, Australia, India it's not an easy group so first t
- Embargoed: 22nd January 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Arab Emirates, United Arab Emirates
- Country: United Arab Emirates
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVACM98FI4J445KR92V6WTW3DHCV
- Story Text: Manchester United star Park Ji-Sung said on Thursday (January 6th) South Korea has their eyes firmly set on winning the Asian Cup title in Qatar.
South Korea, in Group C with India, Australia and Bahrain, is one of the favorites to make it to the knockout stages.
"We have to get through the group stage, Bahrain, Australia, India it's not an easy group so first time, you know our goal is win this title but first we have to get through the group stage and focus on those three games," Park Ji-Sung told Reuters.
The team held their last training in UAE's capital Abu Dhabi on Thursday before flying out to Qatar for the tournament which starts on January 7.
South Korea have been Asia's most successful nation at the World Cup but they haven't won the Asian Cup in 50 years. They won the first edition in Hong Kong in 1956 followed by their second title in 1960 on home ground.
"Actually we don't have enough time to train, we have to prepare well in Asia cup because we haven't won in 50 years so we really want to win this title," said Park, who captained South Korea at 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, helping them reach the last 16.
Park scored six times for Manchester United this season and misses six Premier League games and an FA Cup ties while he is away.
"It's a bit of a strange feeling you know because the club team is still playing in the league game, at the moment it's a very important time and my focus was good for me, so it's not easy to leave the club but I am always happy to join the national team because it's my pride, my country," he said.
South Korea's first match will be against Bahrain on January 10 at Al-Gharafa Stadium in Doha. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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