"We've spent a lot of time working on our set pieces," he told reporters after a practice session in Jeonju, some 240 kilometers south of Seoul. "I'd like to score a team goal."

Paik said his confidence stems from his improved fitness.

"On the national team, my responsibilities are to make passes and put shots on the opposing net," he said. "I am in great form and I expect myself to score against Guinea."

Paik's conditioning had been a source of concern, since he hadn't been playing much with FC Barcelona B club before joining the national team. After putting in work with the team's trainer, Luis Flavio, Paik said he feels he can play at a high level for the full 90 minutes.

Paik added he'd like to beat Guinea by as big a margin as possible, knowing the competition won't get any easier for South Korea from there. Also in Group A are six-time champions Argentina and European giants England.

The top two teams from each of the six groups, plus the four best third-place teams, will reach the knockout stage. South Korea's best performance at the tournament was the semifinals appearance in 1983. At their most recent U-20 World Cup appearance in 2013, South Korea went as far as the quarterfinals.

"I know we have to score as much as we can against Guinea," Paik said. "We'll play an aggressive football and try to win 2-0 or 3-0." (Yonhap)