India to take on Korea tomorrow

Chennai, Feb 24 (UNI) Hosts India face a Herculean task when they take on Korea in the home leg of the Women Olympic football qualifiers to be held at the new-look Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here tomorrow.

Having lost the away match 0-5 under freezing conditions at Masan near Busan last week, India has a mountain to climb to entertain any hope of making it to the next round.

Despite playing at home, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the team needs nothing short of a miracle to put it across their formidable rivals. India have to win by a six goal margin.

Striker and Indian skipper Sujata Kar was cautious in her response when asked about the team's chances and said ''we will give our best tomorrow''.

Coming back from chilling conditions and sub-zero temperatures, the Koreans had arrived four days in advance to acclimatise to the local weather. The temperature is expected to hover around 28 to 29 degrees.

With six players who had represented their country in under-19 level, the visitors start as the overwhelming favourite. But they are not taking the home side lightly.

''The conditions are different here. India has the home advantage.

But we are confident of pulling it off'', said a Korean team official.

Both the Indian and Korean teams had been practising hard at the American International school at suburban Taramani and had a feel of the lush green turf today.

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