NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia, June 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korea are going to fight for a victory in their World Cup Group F opening match against a post-Zlatan Ibrahimovic Sweden, coach Shin Tae-yong said during a pre-match press conference on Sunday.
Given the following opponents to be Germany and Mexico in Group F, South Korea consider the first game against Sweden a better opportunity for points, so do the Swedes presumably. The South Koreans are looking for three points instead of one.
"I think both teams see tomorrow's match a must-win," Shin said.
He added that South Korea will get well prepared as they did in the past, and they don't feel pressure or nervous. Shin believed that South Korean fans will give his team their support for a victory.
In Brazil 2014, the South Korean team finished last in their World Cup group without a win and returned home met with angry fans pelting them with toffee candy as an insult at Incheon International Airport.
Referring to an alleged spying incident by Swedish team staff, Shin said that his players switched shirts during training, and "the westerners don't recognise Asian faces."
Swedish coach Janne Andersson apologised for the misunderstanding regarding the spying incident. He also insisted that Sweden has moved on from Ibrahimovic and will get ready for the match against South Korea.
The showdown between South Korea and Sweden is scheduled on Monday, at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
