It’s all in the mind against the Koreans: Pale Tauti
Hong Kong have to climb a mental mountain to reach crucial goal, says former captain
Hong Kong will need to overcome a mental mountain against South Korea if they are to seal their World Cup repêchage spot on Saturday, says No 8 Pale Tauti.
Former captain Tauti knows first-hand the agony and pain, which has accompanied defeat against the Koreans, especially the narrow 21-19 setback at home in 2012 and last year's 43-22 loss away.
"Playing them is more of a mindset issue and for some reason we don't seem to be able to get over the mental hump," Tauti said.
We have got to mentally toughen up and, if we can do this, half the battle is won
"We have got to mentally toughen up and, if we can do this, half the battle is won."
Tauti has relinquished the leadership role to flanker Nick Hewson, but will have to play a leading role at Hong Kong Football Club if Hong Kong are to stay on course for a meeting with Uruguay in the first repêchage stage of qualifying for the 2015 World Cup.
A win today and Hong Kong will secure the number two spot in Asia. And who knows, maybe a miracle can unfold in Tokyo in a fortnight, and it will be Hong Kong, instead of Japan, who will book the direct berth to the World Cup.
The tough and unyielding Koreans were down to 13 men at one stage last year, but still ran in seven tries in a convincing victory. In 2012, it was closer with a try three minutes from the end breaking Hong Kong's hearts.
