Steer Clear the `Deadlock of Injury` on the Route for World Cup

With 98` France World Cup near at hand, Hwang Sun-Hong a strike of Korean national soccer team got injured his left knee at the game with China. Hwang Sun-Hong, whom people expected as van to lead Korea to the second round, couldn’t run even a game due to the injury, and Korea finally was defeated.

The injury of main forces influence so much on the record of a team. With 2002 World Cup 90 days ahead, the nightmare of injury seems to appear again in some national teams, and they pay all attention to preparing measures.

In case of Korea, `Europe-oriented` Seol Ki-Hyeon (Belgium) along with domestic 8 players, leaving for Europe camp on the 5th, are out of condition. Seol Ki-Hyeon, injured inside of right thigh in mid December last year, is still under rehabilitation training, and cannot escape from warming the bench.

Kim Tae-Young (Jeonnam) was injured both legs, and Choi Tae-Uk also is not well with his left Achilles’ tendon. Lee Min-Sung (Busan) and Lee Chun-Soo (Ulsan), who came back earlier from the U.S. tour, are absorbed in rehabilitation training. Lee Young-Pyo (Anyang) feels unwell after the CONCACAF Gold Cup games.

Korea Football Association is paying all attention on caring for the players. It is discussing whether to send a medical division officer for checking the condition of Seol Ki-Hyeon. Coaching staffs is making every efforts to minimize the `deadlock` of injury when it should strengthen the power through tightened training to succeed in the first round.

Portugal, which is to fight with Korea in D group, also was terrified at the injury of midfielder Luis Figo (Real Madrid). He couldn’t run for 2 weeks from the injury of right ankle at the Champion’s league on February 21st. fortunately it was not a serious injury, but the coach Oliveira is worried about the injury of the players.

An `ambush` Poland is troubled with injuries of the players including goalkeeper Jerzy Dedek.

In addition, Sebastian Deisler (22. Herta Berlin) of Germany got 3 operations for right knee injured in October last year, but it takes time for healing. Rivaldo (Barcellona) of Brazil was injured his left leg, and Rinaldo also got knee injury again. David Beckham (Manchester United) of England is troubled with the ankle injured at the game with Netherlands.

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com