Huh Hesitates Over Old Boys
By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
National football team manager Huh Jung-moo is often hesitant about bringing an old boy back to the national squad. But one journeyman in particular is hoping his impressive recent
performances in the K-League will change his mind.
Jeonbuk Motors striker Lee Dong-gook has been reviving his career this season. He scored a hat trick in a league match against Gwangju Sangmu Saturday and added two more goals in an FA Cup game with FC Seoul last week. With 11 out of 12 appearances this season, Lee tops the goal list.
Despite his near goal-per-game pace, Huh remains skeptical about Lee's ability on the international stage.
``I am not sure Lee Dong-gook could do better than other players. He should check the reasons why he missed the FIFA World Cup in 2002, and could not succeed in the (English) Premier League,'' the 54-year-old boss said in a press conference in Seoul, Monday. ``He should move more sharply.''
``Lee definitely has a sense of goal scoring, but should we believe that he could score against world-class strong teams? No one can be sure about that.''
Huh hinted that Lee is not as good as his goal total may indicate.
``I know that Lee scores many goals, but he does not create his own opportunities. He needs to show more sharp movements instead of just standing.''
A Motors official defended Lee.
``I think Mr. Huh says that only because he hasn't watched Lee play recently. Lee has changed a lot. I hope Mr. Huh comes to visit our stadium to watch him play,'' a Motors official told The Korea Times, Tuesday.
Some critics also objected to Huh's position that Lee is not fit for the international game, despite his 22 goals in 71 caps for South Korea.
Suwon BlueWings manager and K-League All-Star team boss Cha Bum-kun praised Lee for his play of late.
``I have thought about Lee for the All-Star team. I cannot pick him up because I submitted the squad a few weeks ago. I think a good player like Lee should be in the squad. I have time, so I will watch him,'' Cha said in a press conference in Seoul, Monday.
While Lee will also miss out on the Jomo Cup _ an annual international match between K-League and J-League All-Stars kicks off on Aug. 8 in Incheon _ the 30-year-old former Middlesbrough player is still focused on playing well enough to change Huh's mind.
``I have some time until the 2010 South Africa World Cup. I think I can get a good result if I perform well in the K-League,'' Lee said after a FA Cup match last week.
Lee also has the support of some fans in his bid for the national team _ he was ranked sixth in a poll which asked ``Whom do you want to see in the 2010 World Cup?'' last month. Out of 2,454 respondents, Lee received 233 votes, or about 9.5 percent.
``I cannot understand why Mr. Huh does not pick up Lee, who plays well for the Jeonbuk. Lee could not appear in 2006 for the injury, but now plays very passionately,'' football fan Jung Jong-hwan posted on the Korea Football Association (KFA)'s Web site, Tuesday.
Sangmu attacker Choi Sung-kuk, 26, also hasn't yet been given another chance with the national team, despite scoring seven goals and setting up two others this season. Huh said it is good to see the old boys perform well, but also said he cannot pick them up just because they are playing well right now.
However, Choi was selected for the K-League All-Star game by team manager Cha. Choi was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the All-Star game last year, earning one goal and an assist.