Verbal feuds continues between Iran and the Koreans as both appear to be headed for one of Asia’s worst-tempered World Cup qualifiers after their coaches traded barbs and one player said he would make Iran’s captain cry “tears of blood”.
The gloves-off verbal sparring has dramatically raised temperatures ahead of their crunch meeting in Seoul on Tuesday.
After Korean coach Choi Kang-Hee’s promise to “make life painful” for Iran drew a strong response from their coach Carlos Queiroz and captain Javad Nekounam, the home players launched a fresh salvo.
“I will make him (Nekounam) shed tears of blood,” said Germany-based forward Son Heung-Min.
Son added: “Nekounam is known for talking too much. I will let my action on the pitch do the talking. We will beat them by three to four goals.”
The dispute follows South Korean complaints of ill-treatment during their visit to Tehran last October, with gripes including visa problems and poor training facilities. In a feisty encounter, South Korea lost 1-0 with Iran playing almost entire of the 2nd half with one man short after Shojaei was sent off. .
Choi said memories of the trip were still fresh in his players’ minds, and vowed to return suit to Iran this week — in comments that were slammed by Nekounam and Queiroz, who called them “shameful”.
But the South Korean coach, who is set to resign from his post on Wednesday morning, was unrepentant, predicting that Queiroz would be watching next year’s World Cup in Brazil from his home in Portugal.
Midfielder Lee Myung-Joo, man of the match on debut in last week’s tight 1-0 win against Uzbekistan, also dismissed Nekounam as well as the threat posed by Iran.
“I don’t know who Nekounam is. I’ve only heard about him in the media,” said Lee. “I don’t think Iran are that strong. We can beat them if we just focus on playing our own game.” It will be as an omen if Lee’s or his teammates fail to recognize Nekounam As Iran’s Captain might very well repeat his feat and slip past the Koreans to score like he did in their last encounter.
Unlike their Japanese neighbors, the Koreans have always shown superciliousness and arrogant attitude towards opponents. While the Japanese, are known for their fair play and civilized attitude in football , the same cannot be said for the Koreans who are hostile and antagonist.
This match means much more than a football match. There are a lot in stake, of course the grandest prize of them all is the qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. There also the bragging right and the continued rivalry between the two nations’ football, where there is no love lost.
South Korea’s senior team captain Kwak Tae-Hwi picked up an injury in the Uzbekistan match and will be absent. The hosts will be looking to forward Son Heung-min, who recently signed for Bayer Leverkusen, to cause problems for Iran.
he 20-year-old, who recently left Hamburger SV for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga league, made his first start in the final qualification round against Uzbekistan last week to mixed success.
He started as a striker alongside the towering Kim Shin-wook and had some moments of brilliance. Yet it was when Son was moved down to the wing in the second half that he showed more energy and creativity that made him a hotly pursued player among European clubs this summer.