Avoid clash with Iran:Park

picture Qatar,January,12-2010:Korea Republic captain Park Ji-sung is keen to avoid playing Iran in the knockout stage of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.Korea Republic sit second in Group C on goal difference behind Australia following their 2-1 win over Bahrain. Should they advance to the next stage they will play one of the two top teams from Group D which includes Iran, Iraq, Korea DPR and UAE.On Tuesday night, the Iranians looked in good form as they overcame neighbours Iraq 2-1.”Iran is a good team and we don’t want to face them in the Asian Cup knock out stage. The Iranians have a good coach [Afshin Ghotbi] who knows football,” Park was quoted in the Tehran Times as saying.
Iran defeated Korea Republic 1-0 in a friendly match back in September 2010 in Seoul.
“As you know it was a friendly, while the Asian Cup is an official event and all the participants are doing their best,” he said.
Korea Republic face Australia on Friday in a match which could decide who wins Group C