Positive thinking is key: Sung-yeung
Sunday, 23 January 2011 14:57
Doha: Ki Sung-yueng is hoping the power of positive thinking will help Korea Republic recover from their gruelling 120-minute battle with Iran as their focus shifts to their AFC Asian Cup semi-final encounter with Japan.
The Koreans have only two full days to recover from the exertions of their physically demanding 1-0 win over Afshin Ghotbi’s team but the 21-year-old Celtic midfielder is confident his team can be ready for the meeting with their old rivals.
“We have to just rest well, have to eat well and prepare mentally,” he said.
“If we keep thinking we are tired, then we will be tired. But we have to think that we will be okay and then we will be fine.
“It’s not going to be easy. We don’t have enough time to have a rest but we will prepare mentally very well and also it’s going to be an interesting game against Japan.
“Each team knows each other very well. They normally pass very well in midfield and they have good attackers but I think they have problems with their defence. We have to watch ourselves and prepare well for the next game.”
Ki’s thoughts were backed up by veteran defender Lee Young-pyo, who felt his Korean team-mates proved themselves against a physically demanding Iran side.
“The game was very, very tough game, from the first minute until the 120th minute,” said the 33-year-old, who spent last season with Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal.
“Before the game everyone wanted to know who was the strongest between Iran and South Korea and now everyone knows who was the strongest,” continued the former Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Dortmund and PSV Eindhoven left-back.
“All four teams in the semi-finals will be physically very tired. We have many Europe-based players who are playing big games every few days, Champions League and cup competitions.
“Also, in Korea the K-League players, when they were young, they can play every day over three or four weeks. We know when we only have a short period to recover but we know what to do. I don’t want to worry about it.”
Sunday, 23 January 2011 14:57
Doha: Ki Sung-yueng is hoping the power of positive thinking will help Korea Republic recover from their gruelling 120-minute battle with Iran as their focus shifts to their AFC Asian Cup semi-final encounter with Japan.
The Koreans have only two full days to recover from the exertions of their physically demanding 1-0 win over Afshin Ghotbi’s team but the 21-year-old Celtic midfielder is confident his team can be ready for the meeting with their old rivals.
“We have to just rest well, have to eat well and prepare mentally,” he said.
“If we keep thinking we are tired, then we will be tired. But we have to think that we will be okay and then we will be fine.
“It’s not going to be easy. We don’t have enough time to have a rest but we will prepare mentally very well and also it’s going to be an interesting game against Japan.
“Each team knows each other very well. They normally pass very well in midfield and they have good attackers but I think they have problems with their defence. We have to watch ourselves and prepare well for the next game.”
Ki’s thoughts were backed up by veteran defender Lee Young-pyo, who felt his Korean team-mates proved themselves against a physically demanding Iran side.
“The game was very, very tough game, from the first minute until the 120th minute,” said the 33-year-old, who spent last season with Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal.
“Before the game everyone wanted to know who was the strongest between Iran and South Korea and now everyone knows who was the strongest,” continued the former Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Dortmund and PSV Eindhoven left-back.
“All four teams in the semi-finals will be physically very tired. We have many Europe-based players who are playing big games every few days, Champions League and cup competitions.
“Also, in Korea the K-League players, when they were young, they can play every day over three or four weeks. We know when we only have a short period to recover but we know what to do. I don’t want to worry about it.”
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