Chinese
authorities have stepped up security for Thursday's tense World Cup qualifier
against South Korea, whose fans will receive a police escort after protests
over Seoul's decision to deploy a controversial missile defence system.
The
clash between the neighbouring countries is the most anticipated of Thursday's
Asian games, which also include Australia's trip to face Iraq and Japan's
revenge mission against United Arab Emirates.
But
the match in Changsha takes place at a time of considerable bad blood with
South Korea, which angered China when it agreed to deploy a US missile defence
system in response to concern over the growing missile threat from North Korea.
The
Chinese team's parlous position raises the stakes still further: they are
rock-bottom of Group A and staring at elimination from the Russia 2018 World
Cup – despite the government's no-expense-spared drive to turn the country into
a football powerhouse.
Chinese
officials have urged fans to "display rational patriotism" for the
game against South Korea, who are second in the group and whose supporters have
been warned to stick together for their own safety.
"Treat
victory like defeat with reason. Express your emotions in a civilised and
peaceful way," the Hunan Sports Administration said.
"Don't
display insulting slogans."
The
Chinese government fears the missile system, known as Terminal High Altitude
Area Defense, could undermine its own nuclear deterrent.
Its
deployment sparked a backlash against Korean retail giant Lotte, which has been
forced to shut dozens of stores in China, while a survey indicated China has overtaken
wartime coloniser Japan in a list of South Koreans' most disliked countries.
'Don't be intimidated'
The
political row is an added irritant for Chinese supporters who have watched
their team struggle in the final qualifying pool, with no wins in their five
games and only two goals so far.
China's
World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi, hired together with his team on
reported pay of $20 million euros a year, knows his 86th-ranked team's chances
of qualifying are slim.
Only
the top two in the six-team group gain automatic entry to next year's World
Cup, with the third-placed side going into a play-off series, meaning defeat in
Changsha would leave China in need of a miracle.
The
Chinese side has only won once in 31 attempts against South Korea, and although
they caused a few jitters in their 3-2 defeat in Seoul in September, they
haven't scored in their four qualifiers since.
"If
you look at the group standings and head-to-head record, we have superior
results against China," said South Korea's coach Uli Stielike, according
to Korea's Yonhap news agency.
"I
asked our players not to be intimidated and keep the ball in possession."
Helong
Stadium, the venue for Thursday's match, has stepped up security ahead of the
match. On Wednesday afternoon, a three-metre high fence surrounded the training
pitches behind the venue, which was patrolled by groups of as many as 20
security guards.
About
180 South Korean supporters are expected at the stadium, and they have been
urged to take "extra caution" to avoid causing trouble.
"South
Koreans staying in or visiting China must ensure they cheer on the national
team in as orderly a fashion as possible," South Korea's embassy in
Beijing said in a safety warning to fans, Yonhap reported.
Police escort
The
Korea Football Association said Chinese police would escort South Korean
spectators, who had agreed to travel together and only wear their official
"supporters' uniform" inside the stadium.
"For
our players, they will receive the usual protection involving police officers
when they travel from the airport to the hotel and to the match venue,"
said Seol Dong-Cheol, spokesman for the KFA.
South
Korea will be without suspended Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-Min, while
Lippi has called up Vitesse Arnhem striker Zhang Yuning.
Meanwhile
in Group B, UAE-hosted Japan are looking to build on their shock 2-1 win over
the four-time Asian champions in Saitama in September.
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