By Yi Whan-woo
Korea Times intern
The K-League will start the second leg of this season on Saturday, with the post-World Cup fever expected to rise with the return of 13 stars from the South Korea World Cup squad who contributed to the team's first appearance in the second round on foreign soil.
The season has been on hold since May 9 to aid the national squad's World Cup preparation. It will resume with the Pohang Steelers against Chunnam Dragons, and Jeonbuk Motors versus Daegu FC.
The Steelers will host the Dragons at 7 p.m. in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, and the fans will able to see former Korean national team forward Seol Ki-hyeon's K-League debut.
Seol, who was a part of the Korean team in 2002 and 2006 had previously plied his trade overseas. The 31-year-old started his professional career in Belgium in 2000, and then moved to England and Saudi Arabia.
His debut has been delayed due to an injury to his left knee in February, just ahead of the new season. Seol regretted missing the opportunity to lift his team, currently struggling in 12th place among the 15 clubs with a disappointing 2-3-6 record, and is eager to be a useful addition to the Steelers. Seol will play on the wing for his new team.
Having finished their World Cup duties Kim Jae-sung, on the right wing, and defender Kim Hyung-il will line up for Pohang.
The 2009 champions Motors will kick off against Daegu FC at 8 p.m. in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, with World Cup forward Lee Dong-gook hoping to find his form having returned from injury.
The matches next weekend will see with more appearances from the returning World Cup players.
A week on Saturday, Lee Dong-gook will run out for Jeonbuk against Daejeon Citizen, and another forward, Lee Seung-yeoul of FC Seoul, will be hoping to get on the score sheet against the Dragons. Kim Jae-sung and Kim Hyung-il's Steelers will face Busan I'park, and defender Cho Yong-hyung of Jeju United is to take on Gangwon FC.
The next day, forward Yeom Ki-hun, defender Kang Min-soo and veteran goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae will try to improve the Suwon BlueWings last place record of 2-1-8. Defenders Kim Dong-jin and Oh Beom-seok will try to secure Ulsan Tigers' top spot along with goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang against Seongnam Chunma whose goalie Jung Sung-ryong will try to deny his international teammates.
France's AS Monaco is scheduled to in arrive in Korea on Saturday at 11:50 a.m. ahead of the friendly with the K-League's Incheon United at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Incheon World Cup Stadium.
The match with the domestic league side is expected to draw the attention of the local fans as Korean international, forward Park Chu-young plays for the French club. The striker scored the second goal from a free kick in Korea's third and final group match of the World Cup against Nigeria, playing a major part in the team's progress to the knockout round with a 2-2 draw. Park was again dangerous from set pieces against Uruguay in the second round.
The duel between Park and Incheon's forward Yoo Byung-soo is worth noting, as Yoo also boasts a good free kick. Yoo's goal in the season opener against Busan I'park is still remembered by local fans.
AS Monaco will meet fans at Incheon International Airport upon arrival.