Hong picks Ki Sung-yueng over Park Chu-young

Ki Sung-yueng (Sunderland), who has been embroiled in heap of troubles, has made the roster of the national team under coach Hong Myung-bo for the first time. However, Park Chu-young (Arsenal) failed to make the list again this time.

Coach Hong included in the 25-member national soccer team roster Ki Sung-yueng, who has been widely ostracized by Korean soccer fans due to the striker’s ridicule of former national team coach Choi Kang-hee through social media service. The roaster was announced on Monday at the National Football Association building in central Seoul. The 25 members in the roster will play in the friendly matches against Brazil in Seoul on Oct. 12, and Mali in Cheonan on Oct. 15.

At a press conference on Monday, Hong most widely mentioned Park Chu-young, who was not found in his roster. “Regarding Park Chu-young, I feel afraid that I am regarded as someone who stubbornly insists on following principle.” After his inauguration, Hong has said several times, “I will only recruit players who play in their respective teams.” Based on Hong’s remarks, soccer fans have judged that he would not recruit a player who has few chances to play in their teams. For this reason, Hong has not been in a position to recruit Park as a national team member without hesitation despite its lack of a qualified striker. Park has not played since April.

Hong clarified that “Park Chu-young has not played matches for long. It is not the timing for him to join the national team.” He added, however, “I think we should refrain from avoiding someone by blindly following principle, even if he can contribute to the team. I personally hope that Park will display good play going forward.” He thus alluded that whenever conditions permit, he is willing to have his “beloved disciple” Park on board of his team.

On the reason for picking Ki for the first time since he assumed the national team coach post, Hong said, “Ki has had improving physical condition, and is increasingly regaining self-confidence.” Ki received score 7, the highest grade in his team, thanks to his brisk moves when the team played against Liverpool in the sixth round in the English Premier League on Monday.

Hong also disclosed his view on fans’ lingering antipathy toward Ki, who caused a stir due to the latter’s social network posts. “I fully understand that fans have antipathy toward Ki. If Ki joins the national team, I think he should make a sincere apology on an official occasion. I think he will do his best on the ground if he is serious about his apology.”

Players from European professional soccer leagues, who have made Hong’s roster, will enter the National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on Oct. 9, and those from the J League on Oct. 10.