Korean coach says 1st goal crucial vs. Honduras in men's football quarters

Scoring the first goal will be the key for South Korea against Honduras in the Olympic men's football quarters, the team's coach said Thursday.

South Korea and Honduras will meet at 7 p.m. Saturday at Mineirao in Belo Horizonte, some 340 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro, for a spot in the final four in the men's football tournament.

As South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong sees it, getting on the board first is more important than anything.

Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald

"We have to play with a lead so that we can keep the opponents from playing physical football," Shin told a pre-match press conference. "There will be fans back home who get up early in the morning to watch us play, and we'll try to live up to their expectations."

The two countries had a 2-2 draw in a friendly match in June in South Korea. Shin said Honduras boast skilled players "who can make creative plays."

"We can't afford to let our guard down," Shin added. "On counterattacks, their players are really quick and dangerous."

South Korea have played three matches in two cities in a seven-day span in the group stage. Shin said his players must be fatigued given the tight schedule, but they are "mentally relaxed because we're in the quarters."

South Korea won the bronze medal at the 2012 London Games, the country's first medal in Olympic football. (Yonhap)