World Cup Digest Day 4:SOUTH KOREA are focusing on their final World Cup group game against Nigeria after playing down their chances of upsetting next opponents Argentina, despite shining in their opening victory over Greece.
They comfortably beat Greece 2-0, a result that could prove decisive for the Asian team, unbeaten in qualifying and semi-finalists in 2002, as they seek a spot in the second round.
Korean Cha Du-ri said such was the threat posed by Argentina, the team were targeting the match against Nigeria in Durban on June 22nd as being crucial to their hopes of advancing.
“Argentina have world-class players
. . . anything can happen, but realistically, we are focusing on Nigeria. The last game will decide who can advance,” said Cha.
Laser incident not worrying Fifa
A LASER pen was shone towards the pitch during Saturday’s match between Argentina and Nigeria. A green beam was targeted towards the pitch, although Fifa claim this only happened on one occasion.
The perpetrator was thought to have been ejected, but Fifa have since clarified that no-one was thrown out of the stadium but that the incident was an isolated one and the matter was discussed at the post-match debrief meeting.
A statement from Fifa read: “We noticed this incident once and immediately asked the stadium security to look into the matter.
“According to the information that we have at this time, the incident only occurred once. Also at the time of writing, we have not received any comment from any of the teams.”
Vuvuzelas may yet be banned
THE SOUNDTRACK to the World Cup in South Africa comes from the vuvuzela. But tournament organisers today spoke of the possibility of banning the plastic trumpets from inside stadiums after complaints from broadcasters, players and fans.
Local fans say the honking horn is part of South African football-supporting tradition, and the vuvuzela plays the part of a 12th man for the Bafana Bafana team. But critics say it is a danger to hearing and drowns out the singing loved by so many international supporters. And others say it is just plain annoying.
World Cup organising chief Danny Jordaan has spoken of the possibility of banning vuvuzelas from inside stadiums.
Asked if he would get rid of them, he said: “If there are grounds to do so, yes. We did say that if any land on the pitch in anger we will take action.
“We’ve tried to get some order. We have asked for no vuvuzelas during national anthems or stadium announcements. It’s difficult but we’re trying to manage the best we can.”
France captain Patrice Evra has blamed the noise for waking the team in their hotel and stopping the players from hearing each other on the pitch.
