South Korea are hoping lightning does not strike twice when they face Iraq in the Asian Cup semi-finals today.
The Koreans have failed to win Asia’s showcase tournament since 1960.
But, as coach Uli Stielike tries to rouse his injury-hit squad for the clash in Sydney, memories of Iraq’s run to the 2007 Asian Cup title still haunt the country’s football fans.
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South Korea were stunned on penalties in the semi-finals by Iraq, who then beat Saudi Arabia in the final in Jakarta.
“It was very special for Iraq to win the Asian Cup in 2007,” Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil said.
“The hardships our country has been suffering makes it very hard for us, but hopefully this new generation of players can remind our people of 2007.
“We have a lot of history with Korea. They are a great team, one of the best in Asia but rankings mean nothing in the semi-finals.
“All four teams can win it and every team is under pressure.”
Stielike has been busy patching up his walking wounded and will be hoping South Korea’s golden boy Son Heung-min can repeat his midweek heroics, when he struck twice in extra time in the 2-0 quarter-final win over Uzbekistan.
The forward, dubbed “Sonaldo” by his teammates at German club Bayer Leverkusen, was the hero despite not having fully recovered from a flu bug and then having to leave the pitch on a stretcher.
Injuries have ended the involvement of winger Lee Chung-yong and midfielder Koo Ja-cheol, while Son is struggling for fitness.
Stielike has, therefore, been monitoring daily medical reports of his squad.
However, the Korea coach insisted his players were ready to for the Asian Cup semi-final.
“Other than Lee and Koo, there is no sorrow over injuries or sickness,” he said, wary of his side’s status as overwhelming favourites.
“Sport is all about surprises. If we don’t want to have a surprise tomorrow then we have to work very hard.
“If you look at Melbourne Park, Roger Federer is out of the [Australian Open tennis].
“We have to accept we are favourites but we are also playing the champions of 2007, it’s history but it’s fact.”
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Sweet%20Tooth
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The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
Set-jetting on the Emerald Isle
Other shows filmed in Ireland include: Vikings (County Wicklow), The Fall (Belfast), Line of Duty (Belfast), Penny Dreadful (Dublin), Ripper Street (Dublin), Krypton (Belfast)
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
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Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
South Africa squad
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.
