Heat is on as Qatar clash with S Korea

Nothing is impossible in sport.Once an innocent expression used to describe the unpredictability of competition, it has now evolved into a highly potent battle cry of the underdog. This was also the recurring theme at Qatar football coach Paulo Autuori’s press conference yesterday ahead of the team’s crucial Asian qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup against South Korea today at the Al Sadd Stadium. Kickoff is at 7.15pm. Autuori, who has told his players to grab the chance to make history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, knows that South Korea present the kind of challenge Qatar have not experienced in a long time. For one, South Korea are World Cup regulars having qualified for the mega event seven consecutive times beginning 1986, even finishing fourth in 2002 when they co-hosted it with Japan. Secondly, they are ranked 35th in the world, while Qatar are 91st. In actual competition, however, you can never really say, as Autuori put it: “In football anything is possible.” Qatar, who had a dream start in Group A when they edged Lebanon 1-0 in Beirut last week, need to play out of their skins to beat South Korea despite playing in familiar conditions, although Autuori is not someone who is a fan of the ‘home advantage’ theory. “The key to victory is playing good football. All this talk of the weather, the pitch condition and crowd support is useless. These are mere excuses that have no meaning if you play good football.”But the one thing that he is very certain about is the team spirit and fitness of his players. “All the boys are fighting fit, there are absolutely no worries on the fitness front. All are in good shape. Also, the team atmosphere is fantastic. It makes me very happy.” Autuori said the win against Lebanon will inspire his team to give their best. “The only way to gain confidence is to win, win, win.  The victory against Lebanon has certainly boosted our morale. Sure South Korea are a strong team. We respect them but we are not afraid of them.” Qatar will be once again relying chiefly on their Uruguay-born striker Sebastian Soria to deliver for them. It was Soria’s aggression and opportunism that proved a thorn in the side for the Lebanese defence in Beruit last week, in tandem with Khalfan Ibrahim Khalfan. South Korea, who are playing their first match in the final phase, have been trying to get used to the time difference and the heat here in Doha. Despite the fact that the match is being played at the Al Sadd Stadium where cooled air is pumped into the pitch, the heat factor is clearly worrying them. In fact some Korean reporters even expressed the apprehension that the cooling system might not be switched on at all so that the Qataris, used to the oppressive heat as they are, can take advantage of the situation. Such fears were dismissed outright, but the heat is definitely playing on their minds. “Playing in the Middle East for us is always difficult,” said coach Choi Kang-Hee. “The time difference is an issue because players find it difficult to adjust to it, not to mention the heat. Usually when we play against teams in the region, it’s always in the winter. This time it’s the summer.” Choi said he watched the Qatar-Lebanon game and was impressed with what he saw. “The Qatar team is very balanced and have players with very good individual skills,” he said, adding that he always tells his team to take control of the match in the early stages itself. “I will be using the same strategy against Qatar too. If you take control early, you can adapt to any unexpected events that might develop during the match.” South Korea defender Lee Jung-Soo, who plays for Al Sadd, however, was pretty clear in his mind about who were the better side. “When it comes to mentality, individual skills and strategy, the Koreans are far better,” he claimed. “The players may not be used to the conditions in Qatar, but we trust them and they will surely adapt.” The Koreans are without Arsenal forward Park Chu-Young, who was dropped in a row over his 10-year residency visa for Monaco, which controversially delays his compulsory military service. However, there are few other surprises in his squad that includes Sunderland forward Ji Dong-Won and Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung. Captain Kwak Tae-Hwi and forwards Kim Shin-Wook and Lee Keun-Ho are expected to return after missing last Wednesday’s 4-1 friendly loss to Spain because of club commitments.from gulf times.