South Korea may host Japan in a curtain-raiser friendly match at its brand-new stadium on Cheju Island in November next year, shortly before the draw for the World Cup finals, South Korean Football Association president Chung Mong Joon said Wednesday at Tokyo's National Stadium after the two nations drew 1-1 in a friendly.
The plan still has to be discussed between the two countries, but Chung, who also serves as co-president of the South Korean World Cup Organizing Committee, said he hopes to make it happen. The draw for the World Cup finals is set for Dec. 1 in Pusan. Asked about his country's new manager, Guus Hiddink, Chung said: "We need a person who has strong leadership. I hope he can transmit his experience and strong conviction to our players."
Hiddink attended the game in Tokyo, taking notes in the stands, and then visited the Korean players in their dressing room after the game. The Dutchman shook hands with them, Chung said.
"It was a good result, 1-1," Hiddink said as he left the stadium, but the former Netherlands' World Cup team manager refused to comment on the Korean players.