Clubbed with title favourite Holland and the host India in Pool C at the junior World Cup, the Koreans know they have their task cut out if they hope to advance past the league stage.
As such, the India-Korea match will be crucial for both teams as the result may well decide who makes the cut for the quarterfinals.
And the Korean coach Kim Young Kyu is aware that it wouldn’t be easy.
“Concentration will be the most important thing for us, especially in the first match against Canada. Korea will have to win that while also keeping in mind the other games,” Kyu said after the team’s practice session at the National Stadium here.
Thirteen of the Korean players here are from the side that lost to India at the Sultan of Johor Cup recently and Kyu admitted his team was low on experience.
“We know India-Korea (match) will be crucial to both teams’ progress. Our side does not have much experience since we do not have any senior team player. Most have only played one or two international matches,” he said but added that there were no special plans for the game.
The other team in the fray, Canada, may not be a favourite but can well be the spoilsport for the other teams.