Over 20,000 Chinese Fans to Descend on Seoul for World Cup Qualifier

Korea will face China on Thursday in the first final-round match of Asian qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

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Historically, Korea has a commanding lead against China with a record of 17 wins, one loss and 12 draws. Since 1978, it has only lost once to China -- in the East Asian Cup in 2010. Korea has scored 41 goals against the Chinese and given up 21.

But China won't be easy prey this time. Gao Hongbo, the former striker who pulled off the surprise victory over Korea six years ago, has been coaching China's national team since February. And the squad will be motivated, with the Chinese Football Association offering the team prize money of W10 billion if it qualifies for the World Cup and a bonus of W500 million per match victory.

The Chinese professional league, the Super League, arranged its schedule to accommodate the national team's preparations for the World Cup, and China's footballers travel on a chartered plane.

President Xi Jinping, a football enthusiast, recently said he wants China to win the World Cup in 15 years, and Chinese enterprises have been pouring money into football teams.

But Korea coach Uli Steilike isn't intimidated. "The Chinese team has recently focused on scouting foreign footballers and I don't think such efforts will directly lead to good results in such a short time", Steilike said in an interview last week while unveiling the squad for the final round of Asian qualifiers.

Korean footballers currently playing in the Chinese league, including Jang Hyun-soo and Hong Jeong-ho, are expected to play important roles in Thursday's match.

Some 20,000-25,000 Chinese fans are expected to pack Seoul World Cup Stadium to watch the match.