ALMATY. Oct 9: South Korea are confident of securing another win In their trailblazing run to

ward the World Cup finals against Kazakhstan here Saturday. according to coach Cha Bum-Kun. reports AFP.

But Asian Group B rivals Japan face new injury worries as they seek a morale boosting win in Uzbekistan while in Group A China must also win in Kuwait on Friday to keep alive their hopes.

South Korea have won all four group matches played so far in the Asian final qualifying tournament and Cha said after a training session here that he was "sure of a victory against Kazakhstan."

"They are not a big burden since we have played them once before." Cha said. South Korea beat the Kazakhs 3-0 in Seoul last month with Choi Young-Soo-gettlng a hattrick.

"This time also we will play attacking football and win." Cha said.

His main concern is about the cold weather. Cha has told players to make sure nobody catches the cold.

Japan sacked coach Shu Kamo after giving up a one goal lead in the last minute against the Kazakhs last weekend. And with only one win from four matches, must secure a victory in Tashkent against Uzbekistan to retain any hope of qualifying.

!»ew coach Takeshi Okada. ■ stop gap replacement with no experience in charge of a team, has four players sidelined with injuries and influenza. Others have food poisorilng.

During a workout on Monday. defender Eisuke Nakanishi broke a bone In his left hand and forward Akinori Nishi

zawa strained ligaments in the left knee.

On Tuesday, defender Norio Omura and midfielder Takashi Hirano retired with a high fever.

"We cannot let any more players be injured or taken ill," said captain Masami Ihara.

But Okada, who was Kamo's assistant, insisted the battle would go ahead.

"AsTong as we have 11 men we can play soccer." he said. And with rumours of discontent in the team growing he added: "Any one can go home if he can't follow my way."

Japan lost 2-1 to South Korea at home two weeks ago despite taking a 1-0 lead and they also yielded a goal in injury time to the Kazakhs last weekend.

Okada has quickly removed Kamo’s favourite midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata and Brazilian-born striker Wagner Lopes.

The coach has also tightened

discipline amongst his J-League stars with no ’‘private chats' during training and insisting that 51 players dine together and carry their own cases.

"We are afraid of nothing. We will win if we relax and five all we have," said Okada, a former international who studied coaching in Brazil, Britain and Germany.

Japan have five points and trail the Koreans by seven points and second placed United Arab Emirates by two points in the five team group.

Only one team In each group is guaranteed a place at France '98. The two second placed nations will play-off for a third spot and the loser of that match will play off against Australia next month.

In Group A, China scored a crucial 1-0 home win over Saudi Arabia last weekend to narrow the gap on the leaders, the Saudis and Iran. "But we will have to do that again against Kuwait this time." said China's English consultant Ted Buxton.

The former England coach under Terry Venables said the Chinese players had shown more "fight" against the Saudis but admitted that it would be more difficult playing away

The final Group A match will see Saudi Arabia host Qatar In Riyadh on Friday.