Lee Looks to End South American Jinx
By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
National team striker Lee Dong-gook will start in a friendly with Paraguay as Korea tries to break its South American Jinx in Seoul, Wednesday.
Korea hasn't defeated a South American team since it edged Brazil 1-0 in a friendly at home in 1999 and has never beaten Paraguay in four meetings (three draws, one defeat).
The match is part of the team's preparations for the FIFA 2010 South Africa World Cup, and facing the world's 20th-ranked squad will be a good test for 48th-ranked Korea.
The Huh Jung-moo-led team hasn't played for about 50 days since drawing 1-1 with Iran in the last qualifier at home two months ago.
The biggest change will be the return of Lee. The 30-year-old Jeonbuk Motors forward Lee hasn't played for the national team since the AFC Asian Cup in July 2007, but earned his opportunity with 14 goals in 16 appearances in the K-League.
``I am excited to be here. The National Football Center (NFC) changed a lot,'' the former Middlesbrough member said at the training center in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Sunday. ``I've became stronger mentally than I was before because of many experiences. There will be good news if I perform my best game-by-game.''
Lee leads the goal list followed by FC Seoul attacker Dejan Damjanovic of Montenegro and Gangwon FC forward Kim Young-hoo, who each have 10 goals.
Jubilo Iwata forward Lee Keun-ho will start alongside Lee Dong-gook. Lee Keun-ho returned to the J-League club last month after failing to sign with French club Paris Saint-Germain.
AS Monaco forward Park Chu-young may replace one of the two strikers during the match. Park showed he is in good condition after setting up the winning goal in the season opener against Toulouse FC at home on Saturday night (Sunday KST).
In the wing positions, Ulsan Tigers midfielder Yeom Ki-hoon, FC Seoul midfielder Kim Chi-woo, and Busan I'Park midfielder Lee Seung-hyun will fill in for Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung and Lee Chung-yong, who will soon join Bolton Wanderers.
FC Seoul midfielder Ki Sung-yueng and Seongnam Chunma midfielder Kim Jung-woo will play in center midfield.
Al-Hilal defender Lee Young-pyo and Tigers defender Oh Beom-seok will start on the outside defense line spots while Kyoto Sanga FC Lee Jung-soo and Jeju United Cho Yong-hyung will play as center defenders.
Suwon BlueWings veteran goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae will likely start in goal.
The Paraguay squad will be without Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz, who cannot play due to injury, but will still be formidable with the likes of Borussia Dortmund forward Nelson Haedo Valdez and Mexican club Cruz Azul midfielder Christian Miguel Riveros ― the team's biggest contributors in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
``Every single player should be prepared like soldiers in a war,'' Huh said. ``Paraguay is a strong team, and they even won over Brazil in a World Cup qualifier. I think this match is a good chance to work on our weaknesses."
``We prepared for this match to know more about the South American style. The players need to get used to the style because we may meet South American teams in the finals,'' Korea Football Association (KFA) Chief Media Officer Lee Won-jae told The Korea Times, Tuesday.