Team Korea Training for Bosnia Match

The Korea versus Bosnia Herzegovina match will be held on May 26, 8:00 p.m., at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The focus of the fans’ interests is whether Park Ji-sung (Manchester United) will play.

Speaking at a press conference held on May 25 at the Grand Hilton Seoul, Park assured the audience of his readiness to play whenever he is needed. The national team doctor Kim Hyeon-cheol also spoke on behalf of Park’s readiness, saying that Park’s condition was at 100 percent. But it is still unclear where Park will play in any of the upcoming evaluation matches. Dick Advocaat and his staff feel no pressing need to play Park. Park is said to be fully recovered from injury. But just to be on the safe side, the team`s leadership will not likely use him for the whole duration of the game. Park will probably make a brief appearance—if at all—in the second half. It will be an eye-candy for the fans, and a warm-up opportunity for Park.

The Bosnia Herzegovina match will be Korea`s mock-Switzerland match. Bosnia finished third in World Cup European qualifiers, falling behind Spain and Serbia Montenegro. However, it flaunts a solid teamwork that recorded two draws against Spain. While four or five of their active members are missing, the team still has strong defense and midfielders, which would aid Team Korea in finding a solution to the Switzerland match.

Advocaat is looking to amend the weaknesses in the team’s four-back defense exposed during the Senegal match on May 23. In the defense line, Lee Young-pyo will be put on the left, forming a four-back line alongside Kim Jin-kyu, Choi Jin-cheol, and Jo Won-hee. In midfield, Kim Du-hyeon will play offense, while Lee Eul-ryong and Lee Ho will stay on the defensive. The forwards will include Jo Jae-jin in the center, and Park Ju-young and Lee Chun-su on the left and right side.

Advocaat has also prepared various set plays in order to increase Korea’s goal-making opportunities. According to Park Ju-young, Advocaat has ordered several different sets of offensive moves. Which of these will be employed, or when they will be employed depends on the positions of forwards at the time. “We’re not yet focusing on set-plays until a day before the match," said Park Ju-young.

Jong-Koo Yang Jae-Yun Jung yjongk@donga.com jaeyuna@donga.com