“Iranian fans avid support puts pressure on visitors”: S. Korea Coach Stielike

Tasnim – INCHEON, South Korea’s football coach, Uli Stielike, said Iranian fans will put pressure on visitors.

Stielike made the remark ahead of South Korea’s crucial match against Iran.

The Korean team will play Team Melli on Tuesday in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“Iranian fans’ avid support can put pressure on visitors,” he said at Incheon International Airport. “But it’s an important match because lots of things are at stake.”

South Korea, looking for its ninth consecutive World Cup appearance, is currently second in Group A.

They are paired with Iran, Uzbekistan, Syria, China and Qatar. Both Iran and South Korea have seven points with two wins and a draw, but Iran are ahead in goal difference, plus-3 to plus-2.

“Now, we’re in the final World Cup qualification round and it will be different from playing a friendly match,” he said, adding that the stadium’s high altitude — located 1,200 meters above sea level — will not be a big concern.

South Korea will be without center back Hong Jeong-ho after he was sent off on two yellow cards in South Korea’s 3-2 victory over Qatar Thursday. Stielike selected Kim Min-hyeok of Japanese club Sagan Tosu to fill the void. Although there is a change in defense ahead of the tough away match, the German coach said they will not curb their style of play.

“We focus on attack and this means we can be vulnerable against counterattacks,” he told Reuters. “However, we’re not going to change our style of play and philosophy, although we do need to carefully boost our defense.”

*Image from Yonhap News