South Korea skipper Ki Sung-yueng claims the Socceroos will feel the pressure more than his team in Saturday’s Asian Cup final.
No team from Asia has been to more World Cups than the Taegeuk Warriors, who have featured in every tournament since 1986 and, under Guus Hiddink, reached the semi-finals in 2002.
But it’s been 54 years since South Korea ruled Asian football and an unbeaten run to the final, without conceding a goal, has raised the nation’s hopes.
However, the Swansea City midfielder, who spent four years at school in Brisbane, believes it’s the hosts who will find themselves with more to lose in front of a sellout crowd of 80,000 at ANZ Stadium.
“We always say that Korean football is one of the best in Asia because we always go to the World Cup,” he said.
“But on the other hand, we’ve not won the Asian Cup for such a long time.
“It’s a bit weird. We’ve never proved that we’re the best in Asia and this is the challenge for me and my teammates.
“But we’ve had a lot of injuries and some inexperienced young players so I think people in Korea have maybe not expected us to reach the final.
“We have nothing to lose. Australia have more pressure than us. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us and we’re ready to play.”
Ki has fond memories of his time living in Australia but said football had come a long way since he was a student at John Paul College in Brisbane where he went under the name of David Ki.
“I never expected I would be playing Australia in the Asian Cup,” he said.
“It’s always a great feeling when I play Australia. Football has improved. It is not only physical any more. They now play football, pass the ball very well and are very organised.
“It won’t be easy, but I know how Australian players will approach the game … mentally, we have be prepared and block out all the pressure. It will be a very good game.”
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