Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Bangkok: Korea Republic coach Choi Jin-cheul played down concerns over Syria's high-scoring quarter-final win over Uzbekistan ahead of Wednesday's AFC U-16 Championship semi-final at Rajamangala Stadium.
While Korea recorded an impressive 2-0 win over Japan in their quarter-final at the weekend thanks to two goals from Barcelona striker Lee Seung-woo, Syria raced into a five-goal lead inside an hour against Uzbekistan before settling for a 5-2 success.
But with two-time winners Korea chasing a first final appearance since finishing runners-up to Iran in 2008, Choi (pictured) plans to stick to the strategy which has seen his side reach the semi-finals with a 100% record following earlier wins over Oman, Malaysia and hosts Thailand during the group stage.
"We have watched all of Syria's games on DVD and learnt their style of football, but we are not concerned about the score in the quarter-final as we are confident. Syria do use a target man to get the ball to from the back with a long ball and we need to be careful of this," said former intentional centre-back Choi, who played for Korea at the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and 2006.
"After each of the first four games we have improved and also the players are getting more confident after every match. The players are learning from the previous matches so they get better. The quarter-final was a tough match and Japan dominated possession, but our tactic was to defend well and attack with Lee Seung-woo."
Group A winners Korea are appearing in the semi-finals for the first time since 2008 having previously won the AFC U-16 Championship in 1986 and 2002.
"We have not qualified for the World Cup since 2009 so we made sure we had good domestic and overseas training camps to prepare well for this tournament," added Choi.
"We have studied a lot of other teams and now it is time for this team to be champion at this level."
Striker Abdullah Barakat scored a hat-trick as Syria secured a return to the semi-finals of the AFC U-16 Championship for the first time since 2006 after stunning defending champions Uzbekistan on Sunday.
But coach Mohamed Al Attar will be without Mohamad Loulou and fellow midfielder and captain Mohammad Jaddoua due to suspension against Korea as Syria seek a first appearance in the final.
"Korea are very good and have two players from Barcelona. I have watched Korea's games and they also have a lot of other good players and they can score goals at any time. We will make a strategy to stop Korea scoring goals," said Al Attar.
"Lee has a good technique and has an ability to score at any time and we will try to stop him.
"The match against Uzbekistan was very good and all the team is very happy because we have qualified for the World Cup, but now we need to change the focus from the World Cup to this competition."