Jordan challenges S. Korea in Asian Cup

Jordan challenges S. Korea in Asian Cup

Associated Press, Jinan, China

The pressure will be on World Cup semifinalist South Korea to live up to its star billing on Monday when it takes on tournament newcomer Jordan in an Asian Cup soccer Group B match in the eastern Chinese city of Jinan.

South Korea is one of the favorites to win the 16-nation tournament, despite being without captain Yoo Sang-chul and key defender Song Chong-gug.

Making an impressive start is key to advancing in the tournament, South Korea's Dutch-born coach Jo Bonfrere said. He warned against underestimating Jordan, whose highly defensive game has been compared with that employed by Greece in its championship run at European championships last month.

"Jordan are a tough team and the first match is always difficult," Bonfrere said after a training session at Jinan's Shandong Sports Center.

South Korea were winners of the first two Asian Cups in 1956 and 1960 and have been runners-up three times.

Yet the team has found it hard going since their storied performance at the 2002 World Cup. Bonfrere took over the team less than one month ago after the departure of Portugal's Humberto Coelho following a series of lackluster games, including a 0-0 draw against lowly Maldives in a World Cup qualifier earlier this year.

Jordanian coach Mahmoud Jafaar said his team wouldn't underestimate the Koreans either, but weren't intimidated by them either.

"We respect the Koreans and we know they are strong and we know their system of play," Jafaar said.

"But Jordan has progressed very well in the past years and it is not going to be an easy game either for the Jordanians or the Koreans," he added.