Koreans just a point away from Athens

AFC - If China are to deny Korea Republic a spot at the 2004 Olympic Football Tournament, they will have to accomplish something that no Chinese senior or Under-23 side has ever managed in international football in Saturday night's Asian Football Qualifiers 2004 clash at Changsha - score a victory over the Koreans.

The Chinese may be out of the running for a spot at Athens 2004 after winning just one of their first four games in the Asian Football Qualifiers but they can still play the role of spoiler with a win over the Koreans that would prevent the Group C leaders from clinching top spot and their fifth consecutive Olympic appearance. 

With Iran trouncing Malaysia 6-0 on Friday, a Chinese win would set up a final day showdown between Korea and Iran in Seoul on May 12 to decide the team that qualifies for the Olympics.

However, China must overcome history in order to make that happen. In the past 26 years, the Chinese have not won any of the 25 matches between the teams at senior level while their Olympic side has drawn one and lost six of the seven meetings with their Korean counterparts including a 1-0 defeat in Seoul in March.

Since that victory, the Koreans have gone on a tear in the Asian Football Qualifiers, winning all four of their games without conceding a goal to move to the brink of Olympic qualification.

While form and history are against his side, Chinese under-23 coach Shen Xiangfu has vowed that his demoralised team will pick themselves up and go all out for victory on home soil on Saturday.

"We have nothing to lose now. We cannot qualify for the Olympics. How do you think we should fight against the South Koreans?" said Shen. 

"We should fight to the last gasp for a win. We must fight for our honor, for the reputation of the country and for the reputation of the Chinese football. 

"I know that it's hard for the players to have strong desire to win a seemingly meaningless match, but for the sake of Chinese football, we must win."

Meanwhile, the Koreans are taking nothing for granted ahead of the China match despite needing only one point from their last two games to qualify. They have signalled their intent by recalling Park Ji-sung from PSV Eindhoven to join up with the team in Changsha.

"We have yet to qualify and we are here to get that," said coach Kim Ho-kon during the pre-match press conference.

"China have been training here for a long time and I heard the fans here are very fanatical. But we will get what we want in the game despite whatever difficulties we will meet in the game."