Asian Cup 2015: Sasa Ognenovski sings praises of South Korea ahead of Socceroos decider

SASA Ognenovski has seen first hand the technique and skill that makes South Korea such dangerous opponents for the Socceroos in the Asian Cup final.

South Korea's Son Heung Min reacts after missing a goal shot during the AFC Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between South Korea and Iraq in Sydney, Australia, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Quentin Jones)

FOR three years Sasa Ognenovski was able to see South Korean football up close and personal, captain of the Seongnam side that won the Asian Champions League in 2010.

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Son Heung Min looms as the Socceroos’ biggest threat.

Up against the likes of Koo Ja-cheol, now at the heart of the Korean midfield, he saw the technique and skill that makes them such dangerous opponents for the Socceroos on Saturday night in the Asian Cup final.

But watching them throughout the tournament, there are new factors that make him even more impressed with the work of Korea’s German coach, Uli Stielike.

With pressure on the Australian side to win - “in any sport, if a home team reaches the final, they should win it,” believes Ognenovski - the Koreans can enjoy the occasion and have the credentials to steal it.

“All the way through Korea have been solid without being spectacular,” Ognenovski said.

“But something that’s really impressed me has been the defensive structure and shape, the reason why they are yet to concede a goal in the tournament.

Right back Cha Du Ri has rolled back the years.

“They have kept their discipline consistently, and that’s helped them keep clean sheets. Having a German coach has been a good thing for them, you can see the way they have taken on board his gameplan.

“Consistently they have done just enough, but they have a lot of quality across the board, and you can tell they are ready to go through the gears. They have pace, partly because Stielike has picked a young squad.

“So often the Korean sides pick experience, but they have a youthful core that’s impressive. There’s also depth - it’s pretty scary when you see the pace and power of someone like Cha Du Ri at 34, and realise he’s their second choice rightback.”

The danger man he identifies is no surprise, for the striker Son Heung-min has the potential, Ognenovski believes, to mimic the success of Park Ji Sung at the top level.

“He’s a phenomenon, and if he carries on with this trajectory he can easily be as influential as Park,” he said.

“He kept Robbie Kruse out of the Leverkusen side even before Robbie suffered his knee injury. He has the x-factor and really has the potential to cause the Socceroos’ defence all kinds of problems, especially if there’s any question marks over the fitness of Ivan Franjic at fullback.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Sasa Ognenovski sings praises of South Korea ahead of Socceroos decider