War of Nerves Escalates as World Cup Qualifier Draws Near.

(From Yonhap)

SEOUL/DAMMAM, March 24 (Yonhap) -- Reports of a psychological war and partial embargo on kimchi, Korea's national dish, are adding spice to the build-up to South Korea's Asian Zone World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on Friday.

Some local media are fretting that a lack of kimchi, the fortifying fermented cabbage dish consumed by Koreans on a daily basis, may give the Middle Eastern team a crucial Group A edge at Friday night's game in Dammam (7:45 p.m. local time).

Saudi authorities have reportedly closed down a Korean restaurant found to be ""flouting"" local health regulations, the Asia Football Confederation's official …