Park Ji Sung reluctant to face Iran in Asian Cup

MNA – DOHA, South Korea captain Park Ji Sung admitted that he is not relishing the thought of playing Iran in the knock out stage of the 2010 AFC Asian Cup.

South Korea defeated Bahrain 2-1 in Group C and if it advances to the next stage will play one of the two top teams of Group D.

The Manchester United South Korean striker said he would rather not play Iran in that stage.

“Iran is a good team and we don’t want to face them in the Asian Cup knock out stage. The Iranians have a good coach (Afshin Ghotbi) who knows football,” Park said.

Iran defeated South Korea 1-0 in a friendly match in September 2010 in Seoul.

“As you know it was a friendly, while the Asian Cup is an official event and all the participants are doing their best,” he added.

When asked about the win over Bahrain, he added, “The first match is always important in an Asian Cup or a World Cup. The three points make the rest of the games much easier for us. It was very important to win.”