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S. Korea aim to defeat Australia to avoid quarter match-up with China

Xinhua, January 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

South Korea expressed their wishes to beat Australia in the last group match and aim to go far in the tournament as well as to avoid a quarterfinal match-up with China.

South Korean head coach Uli Stielike said they "have to do everything for the victory" on Saturday's match against Australia.

Two 1-0 victories in the first two rounds had already ensured South Korea's quarterfinal place. The winners in the last group match will decide the group leaders.

"We have to win to be first. A draw is good enough for Australia. But if you aim to beat Australia at home, it will give you the conviction that you can go far in this tournament," Stielike said.

Koo Ja-cheol, Son Heung-min and Kim Chang-soo were sidelined in South Korea's second group match for illness and are expected to back to action in the group decider.

"On Thursday, it was the first time after five days that the three players did the first training session, so we have to wait as the players consult the doctor because we cannot take any risk looking at the quarterfinal," he added. [ If South Korea can beat Australia on Saturday, they will avoid an early meeting with China, who are tagged as the "dark horse" and will play either Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan, both of whom lost to China in group matches.

Stielike refused to admit to selecting their opponents. "I don't have any preference if it is China, Saudi Arabia or another team," he said.

"If you want to go far in this tournament you have to beat the number one or number two in the other group." Endi