The Korea Herald

지나쌤

Korea seeking to schedule football friendlies vs. Spain, Czech Republic

By KH디지털2

Published : Feb. 17, 2016 - 15:20

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The national football federation said Wednesday it is trying to schedule friendlies against Spain and the Czech Republic this summer.

The Korea Football Association said it is in talks with the two European counterparts to hold matches in June, and the final details regarding the venue and kickoff times will likely be determined sometime in March.

According to a KFA official, South Korea will likely face Spain, ranked third in the world, in Austria, where Spain will be training ahead of the Euro 2016 later in June. South Korea will likely travel to the Czech Republic to face the 25th-ranked nation. The Czechs will also compete at Euro 2016.

According to the FIFA International Match Calendar, up to two matches can be scheduled between May 30 and June 7.

South Korea are winless against both potential opponents. South Korea last met Spain in May 2012, before Euro 2012, and lost 4-1, falling to two draws and three losses all-time.

Against Czech Republic, South Korea have managed one draw and three losses, the last meeting resulting in a 5-0 defeat in 2001.

South Korea will resume the second round of the Asian qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup next month but have already booked a spot in the final round, which will begin in September. Head coach Uli Stielike earlier said he wanted to face stronger opponents from Europe than the ones South Korea played in recent months. (Yonhap)