After a grueling tournament that ended in heartbreak, Japan and South Korea must lift for a match that will guarantee one of them qualification to the 2011 Asian Cup.
Aside from that carrot, the third-place play-off today in far-flung Pelambang on Sumatra island offers little in the way of motivation for two regional powers still reeling from their semi-final defeats.
Japan have made their way here from Hanoi shattered by their 3-2 loss to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, while the Koreans have had a marginally easier trip from Kuala Lumpur after their painful loss on penalties to Iraq.
At stake is automatic qualification for the next Asian Cup finals, expected to be in Qatar, after the Asian Football Confederation decided the top three finishers will get byes.
Saudi Arabia and Iraq, who contest the final in Jakarta tomorrow, are assured of playing in the next 16-team tournament.
South Korea's Dutch coach Pim Verbeek, who brought a young squad to the Asian Cup after injuries hit his star names, insists his team will be ready for Japan.
"We will never give up and we will go out to win the game," he said. "I don't promise that we will play well but we will never give up."
"I think it's the most terrible game there is in football, but we will go for it and we will be ready again Saturday," he said.
It could be Verbeek's last match in charge after he hinted after the semi-final that he had made a decision on his future.
"I took my decision already but I am not going to say what it is because I want to keep the Korean people excited for the next couple of days," he said when asked if he intended to stay on after the tournament.
Japan coach Avica Osim's job is safe after winning the support of players and the Japan Football Association to steer them through the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
Against the Saudis, Osim played with two defenders against two forwards, with the intention of freeing up another man to take the initiative in midfield. He suggested the same tactics would be used against the South Koreans.
Also see story:
Iraqis looking forward to 2007 Asian Cup final
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