TEHRAN -- Iran and South Korea, two Asian football giants, are to play a crucial game on Wednesday (today) in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

Ali Daei’s side is behind South Korea with five points from three matches. The East Asian team has bagged seven points and is in a bid to secure its seventh-straight World Cup berth.
Iran coach vowed his team will defeat Korea Republic in a key Asian Zone FIFA World Cup qualifier, saying: ”I know that South Korea is one of the best Asian teams, but I believe in my own players’ abilities. Wait and see us on Wednesday.”
Daei, the all-time leading goal scorer, and the one who played in Germany in the 1990s, is expecting big things from three key players, Javad Nekouman and Masoud Shojae, who play for Spanish side Osasuna, and Vahid Hashemian, currently attached with German side Bochum.
“We can beat South Korea with the help of our players who play in the European leagues and we will make it to the World Cup finals as top of our group,” he said.
Huh Jung-Moo’s side, who was recently held 1-1 by Syria, will undoubtedly tighten their defense to keep the hosts at bay. “We gave the Syrians too many chances and we mustn’t repeat the mistakes against Iran,” says the Korea Republic coach.
“The match against Iran in the qualifying round will be the most challenging and most important game. We always need three points, but no team can easily beat Iran in Iran. But I don’t want to lose,” he said.
The match will be judged by Australian referee Benjamin Jon Williams. He will be assisted by his two compatriots Craig Zetter and Hakan Anaz