Fallen striker given chance for redemption
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National football team coach Uli Stielike answers questions at a press conference in Jongno, central Seoul, Monday, where he named the members of his 22-player squad for upcoming matches in the Middle East. / Yonhap
Former Arsenal forward Park Chu-young in Stielike's roster for friendlies
By John Duerden
Pim Verbeek knows Korean soccer better than most foreigners. The Dutchman, assistant at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and number one in 2007, once said that it is much easier for an outsider to coach the South Korean national team than a local who has to deal with the politics, the expectations and, above all, the media.
Oversea tacticians have occasionally found an inability to read the newspapers and websites a source of frustration, but usually, they find ignorance is bliss.
Uli Stielike, appointed in September, may be feeling that now. The German may not know how controversial his recall of Park Chu-young to the national team is for upcoming friendly games in Jordan and Iran. If he visited some of the major Internet portals, he would be in no doubt.
Park’s selection for the World Cup in June when he was without a club was criticized by many fans but it was nothing to the online savaging dished out when he was one of Korea’s worst performers in a terrible few weeks. In Brazil, Park’s only achievement of note was to upset his critics back home even more.
The 29-year-old has since found a club, Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia, scoring a late winner against Al Hilal on his debut. It has been enough to earn a recall. Many think it should not be.
But then, with the Asian Cup, an important tournament, coming in January and group games with host Australia as well as Kuwait and Oman, there are not many other options for the German boss especially with other strikers such as Kim Shin-wook struggling with injury.
It could be a blessing for Park that the games are in the Middle East, away from the unrelenting media glare that would be fixed upon him the moment he arrived at the Incheon International Airport. A goal or two in the famous red shirt may help to soften the questions when he eventually does come home.
Unfortunate QPR left-back
Yun Suk-young is in a different situation. The left-back is not in the roster of 22 but is one of five stand-by players. Yun is unfortunate that when it comes to his position, the national team has a number of choices. German-based duo Kim Jin-su and Park Joo-ho are currently ahead in the pecking order.
Yet Yun is at least now in with a chance after suddenly started life in the English Premier League. The 24 year-old joined QPR in January 2013 but rarely featured until now, just playing a little at the end of last season when the club was fighting for promotion to the top tier, due to injuries to others.
When the club actually reached the English Premier League, Yun was again on the sidelines as QPR sank to the bottom spot. Then, in the middle of last month, the former Jeonnam Dragons man was given a sudden summons to play Liverpool.
After a decent game against the five-time European champion, he played again and impressed in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa, winning high praise from Gary Neville, former Manchester United star, who is now England’s assistant coach and the country’s top football analyst on television. On Saturday, he played again, as the London team narrowly lost to league leader Chelsea.
The signs are that Yun is making the left-back spot his own. For now, he will be happy with that and the national team can wait but if he continues to shine in England’s top tier, the international chances will come.
John Duerden writes for the Guardian, BBC Radio 5, ESPN, World Football magazine and the Associated Press. He also contributes to the New York Times and Daily Telegraph. He can be reached at john.duerden@gmail.com.
22-man roster for November friendlies
Goalkeepers
: Kim Seung-gyu (Ulsan Hyundai, 24,), Kim Jin-hyeon (Cerezo Osaka, 27), Jung Sung-ryong (Suwon Samsung Bluewings, 29).
Defenders:
Jang Hyun-soo (Guangzhou R&F, 23), Kim Chang-soo (Kashiwa Reysol, 29), Kim Young-gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande, 24), Kwak Tae-hwi (Al Hilal FC, 33), Kim Jin-soo (TSG Hoffenheim, 22), Hong Jeong-ho (FC Augsburg, 25), Cha Du-ri (FC Seoul, 34), Park Joo-ho (Mainz 05, 27)
Midfielders:
Ki Sung-yueng (Swansea City, 25), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton Wanderers, 26), Son Heung-min (Bayer Leverkusen, 22), Han Kook-young (Qatar SC, 24), Nam Tae-hee (Lekhwiya SC, 23), Koo Ja-cheol (Mainz 05, 25), Kim Min-woo (Sagan Tosu, 24), Han Kyo-won (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, 24).
Forwards:
Cho Young-cheol (Qatar SC, 25), Lee Keun-ho (El Jaish SC, 29), Park Chu-young (Al Shabab, 29).
Stand-by players:
Shin Hwa-yong (Pohang Steelers, 31), Yun Suk-young (Queens Park Rangers, 24), Hong Chul (Suwon Samsung Bluewings, 24), Park Jong-woo (Guangzhou R&F, 25), Lee Myung-joo (Al Ain, 24).