World Cup 2010: Greeks fear that 'panthers' will pounce

GREECE'S ageing coach Otto Rehhagel sounded like he was enjoying a South African safari yesterday when he warned that "big cats" could be lurking when his team faces South Korea in their World Cup opener today.

The 71-year-old German said his side's opponents are fast, determined and tactically astute and told his players that the Koreans will pounce if their concentration lapses in their Group B encounter at a wind-swept and chilly Port Elizabeth.

"In 1962 I travelled through Asia and played local teams and won 6-0, 7-0 and even more," said Rehhagel. "That was long ago and since then the Asian teams have caught up massively. They have wonderful ways to move and we really can't imitate that as Europeans. They run like panthers – they're like big cats. They're very clever when it comes to tactics, they know what football's all about.

"I've told my guys that if you think for a fraction of a second that you can afford not to pay attention, you'll be badly sanctioned," he added.