By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Lee Dong-gook has played his way back to the national football team roster.
Korean team manager Huh Jung-moo announced Monday his 23 players for a friendly match against Paraguay, scheduled for Aug. 14 in Seoul, and picked up the Jeonbuk Motors striker.
But Manchester United winger Park Ji-sung, who wore the captain's armband during World Cup qualifying, and new Bolton Wanderers recruit Lee Chung-yong were ruled out due to the schedule of the English Premier League (EPL), which starts its new season on Aug. 15 (KST).
Other footballers who are playing in leagues abroad ― Park Chu-young of AS Monaco, Lee Keun-ho of Jubilo Iwata, Cho Won-hee of Wigan Athletic, Lee Young-pyo of Al-Hilal and Kim Dong-jin of Zenit St. Petersburg ― were named to Huh's side.
Lee, 30, whose snub by the national team was a hot topic of discussion in the K-League, has made the Korean team for the first time since the Asian Cup in July 2007, when he was suspended for a year over a late-night drinking spree during the tournament.
``I am really happy about my selection,'' Lee said through his team.
``I thank manager Choi Kang-hee and the coaching staff for resurrecting my career and my teammates for contributing to me rejoining the national team.
``I will try my best to play up to them, considering it as my last opportunity on the national squad.''
Despite suffering setbacks in the EPL and in his return to the K-League, the attacker has regained his form, which established him as one of the top scorers in Korea, netting a league-leading 14 goals, including a five-game goal streak.
Lee, who was capped at 19, has appeared in 71 international matches and scored 22 goals.
``Lee has scored many goals in the K-League of late and shown solid movements in positioning himself and circling behind defenders. He has evolved much more enough to rip the ball with tackle and unleash it,'' said Huh, who was until recently negative about Lee's return. The 54-year-old boss said in a press conference on July 6 that Lee did not create his own opportunities and needs to show more sharp movements instead of just standing still.
``Lee still does not flash on defense. But what we want from him is consistent and energetic movement that can plague defenders.''
The tight schedule in the EPL has forced Korea to play without two of its best.
``If Park plays against Paraguay, it will be a tough schedule for him because Manchester United will have a season-opener two days later,'' Huh said.
``In addition, he needs to focus more on the team ahead of the new season because several new players have joined United.
``But I will summon him for next friendly matches with Australia and Senegal.
``As for Lee, he is about to sign with Bolton, so he cannot make it.''
Among the K-Leaguers, Lee Seung-hyon of Busan I'Park will be capped for the first time.
The small but fleet-footed midfielder, who has scored four goals and set up one this season, can be used as a game changer.
Jeju United defender Kang Min-soo, Yeom Ki-hun of Ulsan Tigers and Kim Chi-woo of FC Seoul, who have all recovered from injuries, have also received invitations from Huh.
Kim Jung-woo of Seongnam Chunma and Ki Sung-yueng of Seoul will bolster midfield.
Huh will gather his new players on Aug. 9 at the National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.