When Diego Maradona last ran into Korea at the FIFA World Cup in 1986, as far and away the best player on the planet, there was apparently only one way to stop him.

The Argentina coach claims South Korea played taekwondo that time and not football.

Maradona said he could still remember one particular leaping lunge which had him jumping backwards in a desperate attempt to protect his groin.

And that assailant just happens to be Maradona's opponent in the opposition tonight.

Huh Jung-Moo is now coaching the South Korean team.

But, Huh said if he had done taekwondo in 1986, then the referee would have pulled out a yellow card.

Almost quarter of a century on, the old mischief maker Maradona has forgiven, but not forgotten, as he is still prepared to use this ancient episode in evidence against the Koreans before tonight’s game.

He has talked up the idea that the 2010 version of himself, Lionel Messi, needs protection from referees, implying somehow that he could be the victim of another Korean assault squad.

But as Huh was keen to remind him, the team whose quality, pace and energy was evident by their excellent 2-0 win over Greece in the opening game, are neither dirty nor naive.

The Argentina and South Korea match kicks off at 11.30 tonight.

In other matches, Greece plays Nigeria at 2am tomorrow and France takes on Mexico at 6am tomorrow.