S.Korea and Turkey Treat Third Place Play-off Seriously

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, June 28, 2002

S.Korea and Turkey Treat Third Place Play-off Seriously

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There will be no letting up by feisty World Cup hosts South Korea as they clash with Turkey on Saturday for third place and bragging rights as the most successful outsiders at a tournament full of surprises.

Coach Guus Hiddink's team hope to cap their historic run with a win over a Turkey side armed with similar speed and grit.

Turkey eliminated co-hosts Japan 1-0 in the second round, offering further incentive for South Korea, who have emerged as Asia's best side in history.

After a training session on Thursday, Hiddink said: "I take this third place very seriously...it will be a very tough game but I think there's a lot of prestige for third place."

He added that "We were supported so nicely in this tournament that we feel obliged to go more than 100 percent for third place."

They are up against a Turkish team that has made the most of their first finals appearance in 48 years.

Turkey emerged from the group stage with just one win but added two more against Japan and Senegal, the team that stunned reigning champions France 1-0 in the tournament's opening match.

Coach Senol Gunes will be looking to Ilhan to lead the attack as veteran Hakan Sukur has lacked form in these finals and Hasan Sas will sit out having received a yellow card in the 89th minute of Turkey's 1-0 loss to Brazil on Wednesday.

Gunes has created the most successful Turkey side in history while championing young talent such as 21-year-old midfielder Emre Belozoglu.

Both coaches are expected to consider younger players on Saturday as Hiddink did against Germany.

Gunes and Turkey's young players after the World Cup will aim at ensuring qualification for their third successive European Championship, set for 2004 in Portugal.

It will be Hiddink's swansong as his contract ends with Saturday's match.

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