Asian Games: Japan, S Korea politics to spill over football
Teams gear up for potential final showdown
SEOUL:
Japan and hosts South Korea will get the Asian Games off to an unofficial start on Sunday when the bitter rivals begin their bids for glory in what could be a tense football competition.
Japan, the defending champions, can expect a frosty reception by home fans as they taste their first action in Incheon, five days before the opening ceremony.
Officials will be braced for a repeat of their controversial London Olympics clash if both Japan and South Korea, bracketed in separate groups, reach the October 2 final.
In 2012, after South Korea won 2-0 to secure the bronze medal, Park Jong-Woo held up a sign saying "Dokdo is our territory", referring to a highly charged dispute over a group of islands.
Park was hit by a two-match ban but it did not stop rival groups of Korean and Japanese fans unfurling political banners when the sides met at last year's East Asia Cup.
A final between Japan and South Korea would mean a security headache for organisers in what would be a game brimming with emotion and national pride.
Korean patience would be sorely tested if Japan do the double by also winning gold in the women's competition, where their ‘Nadeshiko’ are the world, Asian and defending Asiad champions.
For Japan men's coach Makoto Teguramori, the goal is simple; reinforcing their status as the dominant force in Asian football.
"We want to show that Japan are Asia's number one side," said Teguramori.
"Our team is united and we can be flexible with tactics. We will be going for a win in each match and I want to bring out the best in every player."
Japan kick off their campaign against Kuwait, while three-time winners South Korea take on Malaysia in their opening match on Sunday.
Japan and hosts South Korea will get the Asian Games off to an unofficial start on Sunday when the bitter rivals begin their bids for glory in what could be a tense football competition.
Japan, the defending champions, can expect a frosty reception by home fans as they taste their first action in Incheon, five days before the opening ceremony.
Officials will be braced for a repeat of their controversial London Olympics clash if both Japan and South Korea, bracketed in separate groups, reach the October 2 final.
In 2012, after South Korea won 2-0 to secure the bronze medal, Park Jong-Woo held up a sign saying "Dokdo is our territory", referring to a highly charged dispute over a group of islands.
Park was hit by a two-match ban but it did not stop rival groups of Korean and Japanese fans unfurling political banners when the sides met at last year's East Asia Cup.
A final between Japan and South Korea would mean a security headache for organisers in what would be a game brimming with emotion and national pride.
Korean patience would be sorely tested if Japan do the double by also winning gold in the women's competition, where their ‘Nadeshiko’ are the world, Asian and defending Asiad champions.
For Japan men's coach Makoto Teguramori, the goal is simple; reinforcing their status as the dominant force in Asian football.
"We want to show that Japan are Asia's number one side," said Teguramori.
"Our team is united and we can be flexible with tactics. We will be going for a win in each match and I want to bring out the best in every player."
Japan kick off their campaign against Kuwait, while three-time winners South Korea take on Malaysia in their opening match on Sunday.