South Korean fans will taunt Italians with memory of 1966 loss to

Updated: Monday June 17, 2002 11:48 p.m. ET

DAEJEON, South Korea (AP) -- The memory of a Korean victory over Italy 36 years ago will literally loom over Tuesday's match between Italy and South Korea on Tuesday, with Korean supporters planning to wave cards that spell out "Again 1966."

Korean supporters on Monday put white cards over selected seats in the Daejeon stadium that when lifted in unison will spell out the taunt. Italy lost 1-0 to North Korea in a stunner at the 1966 World Cup.

Italian players have said they haven't given any thought to that loss -- it came before any of them were born. "I don't care about this. It's not my problem," Italy striker Christian Vieri said last week.

But for the South Koreans -- whose fan support is astonishing _ it's a rallying cry.

The South Korean support will certainly be a massive boost to the team, with a sea of red shirts expected for Tuesday's match. The Italians have tried to play down the Koreans' home-side advantage.

"We know we're playing away from home," Italy attacker Francesco Totti said Monday. "It's not a problem. They might have an advantage with the crowd, but they'll have this advantage against a great team."