The official Web site of the World Cup soccer finals in Germany says South Korea is catching up with European teams given its recent performance in friendly games.

The site on Monday said that despite losses to the United Arab Emirates, Denmark and Costa Rica, South Korea has had encouraging wins over Finland and Croatia to boost its confidence for the World Cup.

Star midfielder Park Ji-sung was quoted as saying his team wants to prove its semifinal run in the 2002 World Cup was not simply the result of good luck or home-field advantage.