The head coach of Ulsan HD has revealed his side’s game plan for when they come up against Mamelodi Sundowns in their FIFA Club World Cup opener.
Check Out: Finnish Coach Backs Riveiro For Ahly Success
Masandawana will be the next side from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take part in the global spectacle currently taking place in the United States of America. The first two African teams to compete in the tournament, Al Ahly and Esperance de Tunis, failed to win or even find the back of the net as they came up against Inter Miami and Flamengo.
Ka Bo Yellow will now be looking to become the continent’s first representatives to put an end to both records when they come up against their South Korean opponents.
The two sides will face each other at the Inter & Co Stadium, and Ulsan head coach Pan-gon Kim believes that while his team aren’t being fancied in the match-up against the South African giants—or in the context of the tournament—they are excited by the prospect of facing a team like Sundowns.
"I calmly accept the evaluation that we are weak," the South Korean tactician said during his pre-match press conference, as per Sports Donga.
"Nevertheless, I am quite excited about the first match. We are not only focusing on defence, but also preparing for offence. We will carefully observe the situation in the first 20 minutes and respond to the opponent."
While Ka Bo Yellow may be considered favourites in their first Club World Cup match of this iteration of the competition, the club have not traditionally enjoyed success against Asian opposition in the tournament.
Check Out: Bafana Star Features As Esperance Lose CWC Opener
During their first and only previous appearance at a Club World Cup, they lost 2-0 to Japanese first division side Kashima Antlers before suffering a 4-1 defeat to South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai in the fifth-place playoff.
