Uruguayan forward Diego Forlan said Thursday he respects South Korea’s World Cup team and predicted a tough fight for a spot in the quarterfinals.

The South American team, two-time World Cup champions, finished first in Group A and is set to vie for a top-eight spot against South Korea, which finished second in Group B. The match is Saturday in Port Elizabeth.

“In 2002, they (South Korea) played really well. They always play in these competitions so they deserve the respect. I know it’s going to be tough,” Forlan said at a press conference at Kimberley in central South Africa, where his team’s base camp is located.

“You know it will be a very difficult game. They have really good players. It will be tough,” the Atletico Madrid forward said.

Park Ji-sung, the South Korean captain and a Manchester United midfielder, and AS Monaco forward Park Chu-young should be closely watched in the match, said Forlan, 31, who also played for the Premiere League team.

“You can pick Park Ji-sung. He is one of the most known players. Number 10 (Park Chu-young) is also good,” Forlan said. “South Korea is a good team with good players and with a good touch of the ball. Every time we play against South Korea, it is a difficult game.”

Uruguayan midfielder Egidio Arevalo also picked Manchester United’s Park as the South Korean player “who makes the difference” and observed that the Korean players are “very concentrated” in their game.

South Korean Footballer

“We will try to do our best to beat Korea and get to the next phase,” Arevalo said.

Uruguayan coach Oscar Tabarez also noted that South Korea is a “very dangerous” team in “good physical” condition, but observed that it is better on offense than defense.

The South American team, 16th in world football rankings, holds a 4-0 edge overall against South Korea, including a 1-0 win in the 1990 World Cup first round.

Related posts:

1. FIFA World Cup : South Korea trounced by Argentina in group B match
2. United States wants to face South Korea in World Cup quarterfinals — official
3. South Korea football team eliminated from World Cup after 2-1 loss to Uruguay
4. World Cup News : South Korea draws with Nigeria but advances to second round
5. Fifa World Cup : South Korea to take on Uruguay in second round after drawing Nigeria to make the final 16