YOKOHAMA, Japan (Reuters) -- South Korea will go all out to beat fierce rivals Japan today despite needing only a draw to be crowned East Asian champions.

The 'Red Devils', 2002 World Cup semifinalists, have a vastly superior record in matches against Japan and will be anxious to reassert themselves as the top team in Asia in front of 60,000 in Yokohama.

"Beating Japan, for all of the South Korea players, is crucial -- more so than winning the title," said South Korea striker Choi Yong-soo.

Emotion has always run high in matches between South Korea and Japan as a result of a painful past and frequent political run-ins between the two countries.

"I am fully aware how crucial it is to beat Japan. The mentality of the Koreans dictates that we must win," said South Korea coach Humberto Coelho. "There has been a big improvement in team spirit since the start of the tournament and the players have been energized after winning the first two games. Motivation will not be a problem."

The first time the two teams met, in a two-leg World Cup qualifier in 1954, Japan were not allowed to enter South Korea such was the lingering resentment over their harsh military rule of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945.

Consequently both games took place in Tokyo, South Korea winning 7-3 on aggregate to book their place in the World Cup finals in Switzerland.

South Korea have beaten Japan 36 times in total, with 12 defeats and 15 draws, although both teams have won once -- each time 1-0 -- in two meetings in 2003.