Young Players to Join National Team
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
The high-quality play of forward Lee Keun-ho and defender Kim Chang-soo in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) match were good enough to attract coach Pim Verbeek's attention and has increased the possibility of their joining the national team.
In Wednesday's qualifier the young footballers played at their best to appeal to the Dutch coach because he had pledged he would pick up six or seven players for the national squad preparing for the Asian Cup in July.
Among them, it was Lee who was by far the best.
The 21-year-old Daegu FC striker netted two goals along with an assist. The goals were his first and second in an international match.
Through the match, he kept attacking the UAE ceaselessly.
Other than his record, his movement from flank to center well matched Verbeek's strategy.
Lee, equipped with power and speed, is competent in breaking through defenses and is a good finisher on goal.
He was the most valuable player at Bupyeong High School in 2003.
After his graduation in 2004, Lee joined the K-League with Incheon United in 2005 but spent most of his time in the second-tier team.
Before this season, he transferred to Daegu and stood out as a top player in the league.
Lee, who stands 176 centimeters tall and weighs 71 kilograms, scored six goals in the regular season, the third best record and the best among Koreans. He also notched two goals in the K-League Cup competition.
``As I did not play in the Netherlands match, I wanted to show my abilities. If I get a chance to play in the Asian Cup, I will not miss it. Since entering the pro league, I regretted losing chances through my own fault so I will not repeat it,'' said Lee after Wednesday's qualifier.
Defender Kim Chang-soo of Daejeon Citizen, who curled home a superb free kick in the second half, is also one of the feel-good stories, having been benched for three years and picked up as a national player after moving to a new team and exhibiting his competence.
Kim, a right side defender at Daejeon, started on the left instead of the injured Choi Chul-soon, but soon proved that he can play on both sides.
Verbeek also praised him, saying, ``He has good talent as a wingback.''
``Frankly speaking, I want to join the national team. Seeing defender Kim Min-soo playing in the match against Holland motivated me today. I expect a chance to open for me,'' said Kim.
Verbeek, 51, will announce the final team list for the Asian Cup on June 16