S. Korean Striker, German Midfielder Doubtful for World Cup Semi-final

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, June 25, 2002

S. Korean Striker, German Midfielder Doubtful for World Cup Semi-final

Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann and South Korea striker Ahn Jung-hwan are doubtful for the World Cup semi-final here, due to their respective injuries.

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Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann and South Korea striker Ahn Jung-hwan are doubtful for the World Cup semi-final here, due to their respective injuries.

This is the first in the 72-year history of the World Cup to feature an Asian side.

Hamann twisted a ligament in his right knee in Friday's 1-0 quarter-final win over the United States.

Hamann quit a final training session after just 15 minutes' practise on Monday at the Seoul stadium, site for the semi-final.

"He (Hamann) is extremely important to the team and it would be a big blow if he couldn't make it but he will only play if he's 100 percent fit," Germany coach Rudi Voeller said.

If the 28-year-old does not recover, Voeller will probably have to choose Jens Jeremies instead.

Ahn, who scored South Korea's "golden goal" winner against Italy in the second round, sprained an ankle in the quarter-final penalties win over Spain. The most likely replacement is Hwang Sun-hong, more of a target man than Ahn.

The co-hosts, without a match win in five previous finals, have exceeded all expectations by becoming the first Asian team to reach the last four. They now face a team who have reached the semi-finals on nine occasions - going through six times.

The two sides met in the 1994 World Cup in the United States with the Germans coming out 3-2 winners.

The Koreans however scored wins over European sides Poland, Portugal, Italy and Spain.

After the Koreans gained from controversial refereeing errors in their last two games, the pressure will be on Swiss official Urs Meier to deliver a faultless performance.

The other semi-final between Brazil and Turkey is set for Wednesday in Saitama, Japan.

Probable teams:

Germany (3-5-2): 1-Oliver Kahn; 21-Christoph Metzelder, 15-Sebastian Kehl, 2-Thomas Linke; 22-Torsten Frings, 19-Bernd Schneider, 8-Dietmar Hamann (or 16-Jens Jeremies), 13-Michael Ballack, 6-Christian Ziege; 11-Miroslav Klose, 7-Oliver Neuville

South Korea (3-5-2): 1-Lee Woon-jae; 4-Choi Jin-cheul, 20-Hong Myung-bo, 7-Kim Tae-young; 21-Park Ji-sung, 6-Yoo Sang-chul, 22-Song Chong-gug, 10-Lee Young-pyo, 13-Lee Eul-yong; 19-Ahn Jung-hwan, 9-Seol Ki-hyeon.

Referee: Urs Meier (Switzerland)

Linesmen: Frederic Arnault (France)

Evzen Amler (Czech Republic)

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