7 World Cup Stars Will Meet Again

“Glory of World Cup, again!!”

In anticipation of the 2002 Busan Asian Games opening on September 29, 2002, the Taekuk Fighters, who led Korea up to the semifinal of the World Cup, are bracing themselves up again.

In the Asian Games, athletes less than 24 year of age can play in. People might think that the members of the World Cup national team could not participate due to the age limit. But, Guus Hiddink, the former national team coach, organized the World Cup team centered around young players. Thus, many of the World Cup stars can play in the Asian Games.

Those who can play are 7 in number: Song Jong-kook (now in Netherlands), Lee Chun-soo, Hyun Young-min, Park Ji-sung (now, in Japan), Sul Ki-hyun (Belgium), Cha Doo-ri (in Germany), Choi Tae-wook. But, three players now in Europe, Song Jong-kook, Sul Ki-Hyun and Cha Do-ri, are hard to join due to the schedules of their teams. But Park, now playing in Japan, is likely to join in. Thus, it is certain that 4 of the World Cup team members, Lee Chun-soo, Choi Tae-wook, Hyun Young-min and Park Ji-sung, will surely join the national team and play in the Asian Games.

In addition, 3 players more than 23 can be put on the national team as wildcards. Thus, 7 World Cup players are sure to play in the Asian Game. In the North-South Unification Soccer Match held on Sep. 7, three players joined as wildcards: Lee Woon-jae (Goalkeeper, Suwon), Choi Jin-chul (Defense, Chunbook) and Lee Young-pyo (Mid-fielder, Ahnyang). It is highly probable they will play again in the Asian Games. Nonetheless, to increase the chances of making goals, Yoo Sang-chul might be added in.

Coach Park Hang-suh said, “It was too short for us to prepare. Therefore, I cannot help but compose the entry centered around the World Cup members who have teamed up with each other for the last one and a half years.”

Other than World Cup stars, “Lion King” Lee Dong-kook (Pohang) and Kim Eun-jung (Deajun), both of whom are renowned in Samsung PAVV K League, are sure to be picked up as entry members. Moreover, new stars like Choi Sung-kook (Korea Univ.), Kim Doo-hyun (Suwon) and Kim Dong-jin (Ahnyang) are expected to join the national team. The composition of the Asian Games team, whose 20 members are to be picked out of the pool of 35 candidates, will be announced on September 12, 2002.

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com