This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Fifa World Cup 2014: Russia, South Korea try to remember opponent players by name tag
Korean captain was equally candid about unable to remember Russian names.
Written by Agence France-Presse
Published: Jun 17, 2014, 01:12 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 17, 2014, 01:12 PM (IST)


Cuiaba (Brazil): Jun 17, 2014
Both Russia and South Korea freely admitted that they had no idea as to the identity of the players they were about to face in the Fifa World Cup 2014 Group H clash in Cuiaba.
Russia’s coach, Fabio Capello, when asked if it wasn’t an insult that his team couldn’t name any Koreans, shrugged: “It’s not important to know names of players, what is important is to know their characteristics.”
The Korean captain, Koo-Ja-Chael, was equally candid when challenged later if he could list any of the Russian side.
“No, I don’t know their names, but I know their numbers,” the Mainz 05 midfielder replied.
Korea’s coach, Hong Myung-Bo, was asked at the post-match press conference whether he regarded the Russians’ admission as an insult, smiled: “Actually it’s not easy for Korean players to be memorised by foreigners.”
FIFA World Cup 2014 Points Table: Group-wise team standings and results
FIFA World Cup 2014 Fixtures: Football World Cup Schedule & Time Table in IST
TRENDING NOW
Catch all the coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2014