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Park Ji-Sung ready to tackle Tevez as S Korea face Argentina

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-17 13:28

South Korea's Park Ji-sung (R) fights for the ball to score a goal against Greece during their 2010 World Cup Group B soccer match at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth June 12, 2010. [Agencies]

JOHANNESBURG - Park Ji-Sung will put his friendship with Carlos Tevez to one side when South Korea come up against Argentina in their second World Cup Group B match at Soccer City Stadium here on Thursday.

The rivals will go head-to-head in Johannesburg looking for supremacy after both recorded victories in their opening matches.

Related readings:  S Korea eases to 2-0 win over lackluster Greece  Maradona says Argentina too forgiving in opening victory  Argentina edges Nigeria 1-0 in World Cup

Park and Tevez became friends during their time together at Manchester United, but the South Korean midfielder insists that will be forgotten when they clash.

"We have played together and I think it is great that we will play against each other, but this is not just a friendly, this is the greatest place to play football," said 29-year-old.

"We are both adversaries for now and we will both be doing our best to win the game."

Park has given his teammates the inside track on the Manchester City striker's abilities, and fully expects Tevez to have done the same for Argentina.

"We had two years together at Old Trafford and we know each other very well," Park added. "If you know your opponent, you are going to tell your defenders what it will be like, so we are both in the same boat."

Despite his exertions for the Red Devils in the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League last term, Park insisted he is still fresh for the summer showpiece.

"I think a lot of the European players are a little tired and may not be on top form, but I have rested well and had a good training schedule," he said. "I am at the top of my condition and physically I think I am very well-prepared."