Lagos — Golden Eaglets Head Coach John Obuh has not refrained from telling his wards that they must keep level heads as they go up against Korea Republic in the World Cup quarter -finals today. Korea Republic hosted the last edition of the tournament that the Golden Eaglets won and it will be a tough fight inside the UJ Esuene Stadium this evening as the two sides battle for the ticket to the semis.

Easy -going Coach Obuh insisted last night that despite hammering New Zealand 5-0 in the Round of 16 and being projected as tournament favourites all over again, the defending champions must countenance a big fight with the dangerous Far East Asians.

"We cannot afford to be complacent. The Koreans showed what it means to fight for the entire period of a match when they equalized against Mexico in added time and went on to win on penalties. That is what I have been telling my boys: No match is won until the referee's final whistle. We must always play for 90 minutes. The Koreans are very fast, skilful, aware and strong. We have to watch it, play our game and take our chances without being too elaborate".

Interestingly, Sani Emmanuel who until the game against the New Zealand has not enjoyed full time has proved to the Obuh led crew that he deserves starting shirt. He tucked in two beautiful goals in the 5-0 whitewash of the Kiwis. It is also expected that the much hyped Stanley Okoro who has been briliantly pulling the strings in the middle will prove that he is worth all the praises.

The Koreans who needed penalties to win their tense and tight last-16 contest with Mexico are not going to give in easily. After trailing for the entirety of the second half in Bauchi, only a last-gasp goal from Kim Dong Jin brought the scores level and forced extra-time. In the end, the Asians hit all of their penalties in the shootout to win the day by the skin of their teeth. Scoring goals has been a problem for the Taeguk Warriors, but if they can manage to turn their many chances and good possession-game into goals in Calabar, Obuh's warning, might not just be in vain.

The winner will play the conqueror of the Spain/Uruguay match in Thursday's second semi final at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.