By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter
Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung and Jeonbuk Motors striker Cho Jae-jin led a list of veteran candidates to represent South Korea in August's Olympic football tournament in Beijing.
The two players, both enjoying near-automatic status with the senior team, were among the eight over-aged players named in a provisional 48-man roster revealed Thursday by under-23 team coach Park Sung-hwa.
Olympic teams are restricted to players under the age of 23, but are allowed three over-aged players as ``wild card" picks.
Coach Park will announce his final roster of 18 players on July 23.
The 27-year-old Ji-sung, a reserve attacker for the current English Premier League leaders, is among three Europe-based players considered for the wild card spots. The others are Zenit St. Petersburg defender Kim Dong-jin, 26, and club teammate Lee Ho, 24, a defensive midfielder.
Seongnam Chunma attackers Yeom Ki-hoon and Kim Jung-woo, FC Seoul defender Kim Chi-gon, and Chunnam Dragons fullback Kim Chi-woo were also among the list submitted to the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC).
However, Tottenham defender Lee Young-pyo and Fulham attacker Seol Ki-hyeon, both struggling to get minutes with their clubs, were left off the list.
Among the veteran players, Ji-sung and Cho have virtually secured their spots for Beijing baring an injury or a serious slump.
Ji-sung is irreplaceable for his versatility ― effective on both sides of the flank and also comfortable as a support striker or attacking midfielder ― and his reputation as a big-game player would surely help a team of youngsters.
Cho, an athletic 1.85-meter striker, is regarded for his strength in the air and ability to hold the ball. The 27-year-old's direct approach, as well as his knowledge in stretching the defense, is thought to conform well with the under-23 team's abundance of support strikers, who provide plenty in pace and trickery but struggle in the leading role.
It remains to be seen who will take the last remaining spot in the wild card selections, although some expect a battle between Dong-jin and Chi-woo.
Dong-jin, a 1.86-meter defender, has quickness and strength to go with his size, and unlike Lee, has the ability to deliver quality crosses. He could also provide set-piece prowess with a thunderbolt left foot.
Chi-woo, 25, is more of an attacking fullback regarded for his pace and creativity and recently got the nod over Dong-jin on the senior national team.