Defiant South Korea manager Dick Advocaat said his team will be able to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup again despite their 3-1 defeat against Ghana in Scotland.

Four years ago, under fellow Dutchman Guus Hiddink, the South Koreans made it to the last four of the tournament, and his successor believes they can do it again.

However, Advocaat acknowledges they will have to improve on the performance at Hibernian's Easter Road on Sunday where they were comprehensively dismantled by a side ranked almost 20 places below them, 48th compared to 29th, in the official FIFA rankings.

"We have a lot of work to do before our opening game but we have plenty of time and we know what we have to do," the Dutchman said.

He admitted that against Ghana, the team "lacked sharpness" and their competitors were physically stronger.

"You cannot judge us on that performance, only after we have played the three games in the World Cup, and you will see a big difference when the tournament starts.

"We are capable of repeating the success of South Korea four years ago when they made it to the semi-finals. It will be tough but I believe we can do it."

Advocaat was impressed with the physical strength and skills of Ghana and though he believes they could do well he warned them it will be tougher when the real action starts.

"Ghana are a good team and they have some world class players like Micheal Essien and Sulley Muntari," he said.

"They are very physical, which I like, but they will find it much tougher in the World Cup than we made it for them on Sunday.

"It is a very hard group they are in with Italy, the Czech Republic and the USA but if they continue to play like that then they could cause some surprises."

Ghana's Serbian manager Ratomir Dukovic, meanwhile, warned his side's Group E opponents not to expect an easy ride.

"Our first game is against Italy and though I think they are a great team they will have to suffer, physically and in every way if they wish to defeat us," he said.

"The team are now very confident and that is important for us.

"Every World Cup the African teams get stronger and this team can cause some surprises this year."

Source: China Daily