Park says SKorea have got their confidence back

16 October 2008 09:55

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SEOUL (AFP) - South Korea's squad has regained its confidence, Park Ji-Sung of Manchester United said Thursday, a day after the national team overwhelmed the United Arab Emirates 4-1 in an Asian World Cup qualifier.

"I was a little nervous before the match because (younger) players lack experience," the 27-year-old, who skippered the team during the qualifier, told reporters before flying back to England.

"But the match went smoothly because the juniors cooperated well with the more experienced senior players," said Park, who scored a goal and an assist.

The victory puts South Korea top of Asian Group B. They are competing with Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE and North Korea in the final qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup.

South Korea hope to keep up the momentum towards their seventh straight World Cup ticket with victory in their next regional qualifier in Saudi Arabia next month.

They had secured only a disappointing one-all draw against North Korea in the opener of the qualifying stage.

"The players have now regained their confidence," Park told Yonhap news agency, referring to recent media criticism that the team is losing its dominance in Asia.

"If we can keep the atmosphere alive, we'll play a match that will be different from previous ones."

Park will compete in the English Premier League before returning to the national squad ahead of the November 19 qualifier.