ID :
22882
Mon, 10/06/2008 - 20:22
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/22882
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Man U midfielder Park returns to join struggling World Cup squad
By Sam Kim
INCHEON, Oct. 6 (Yonhap) -- Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung vowed Monday to help his national football team bounce back from a series of lackluster performances in its bid to reach the 2010 World Cup, returning for the first time in three months to compete in next week's Asian qualifier.
The arrival of the 27-year-old star coincided with the announcement of the final
roster of South Korean players, including Lee Young-pyo of England's Tottenham
Hotspur, who will face the United Arab Emirates next week in a regional World Cup
qualifier.
Despite having reached the final qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup in South
Africa, South Korea have come under media criticism recently for failing to
perform at its best.
South Korea were held to a 1-1 draw by North Korea in their opener last month,
their fifth straight failure to beat the far lower-ranked rivals, and fans have
accused senior players and coach Huh Jung-moo of lacking leadership and strategic
originality.
"I agree our football faces a crisis," Park said after arriving at Incheon
International Airport, just west of Seoul. The arrival marked the first time he
has returned to the country to join the national team since he last competed in
the previous qualifying round that ended in June.
"But if we make it through this difficult time, it will offer a chance for South
Korean football to be elevated closer to a global level," he told reporters.
South Korea will face the UAE at home on Oct. 15, just four days before it takes
on Uzbekistan in a goodwill faceoff, also as host. South Korea, which seeks its
seventh consecutive World Cup ticket, is also grouped with Saudi Arabia and Iran
in Asian Group B.
"If we lose or tie the coming match, it will pose serious difficulties for our
bid to make it to the World Cup finals," Park said. "I will do my best so that we
can win this match at all costs, but I will stay calm and relaxed."
Huh said earlier Monday that he was pinning high expectations on Park and Lee,
calling on the two to lead younger players who are seen as lacking experience.
"Both are such hard workers that I expect them to play in an exemplary way for
the other players," he said at the Korea Football Association in Seoul.
Lee will arrive in South Korea on Tuesday to join his national team, which will
resume its training later this week.
Ten Asian teams are competing in the final round-robin qualifying series, with
the two top teams from each group of five allowed to advance to the World Cup
finals.
The third-placed teams from each group will play against each other, with the
winner later facing off against the top squad from Oceania.
South Korea had its best record when it advanced to the semifinals of the 2002
World Cup jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea. The team has come short of
reaching the round of 16 in all other appearances.
INCHEON, Oct. 6 (Yonhap) -- Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung vowed Monday to help his national football team bounce back from a series of lackluster performances in its bid to reach the 2010 World Cup, returning for the first time in three months to compete in next week's Asian qualifier.
The arrival of the 27-year-old star coincided with the announcement of the final
roster of South Korean players, including Lee Young-pyo of England's Tottenham
Hotspur, who will face the United Arab Emirates next week in a regional World Cup
qualifier.
Despite having reached the final qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup in South
Africa, South Korea have come under media criticism recently for failing to
perform at its best.
South Korea were held to a 1-1 draw by North Korea in their opener last month,
their fifth straight failure to beat the far lower-ranked rivals, and fans have
accused senior players and coach Huh Jung-moo of lacking leadership and strategic
originality.
"I agree our football faces a crisis," Park said after arriving at Incheon
International Airport, just west of Seoul. The arrival marked the first time he
has returned to the country to join the national team since he last competed in
the previous qualifying round that ended in June.
"But if we make it through this difficult time, it will offer a chance for South
Korean football to be elevated closer to a global level," he told reporters.
South Korea will face the UAE at home on Oct. 15, just four days before it takes
on Uzbekistan in a goodwill faceoff, also as host. South Korea, which seeks its
seventh consecutive World Cup ticket, is also grouped with Saudi Arabia and Iran
in Asian Group B.
"If we lose or tie the coming match, it will pose serious difficulties for our
bid to make it to the World Cup finals," Park said. "I will do my best so that we
can win this match at all costs, but I will stay calm and relaxed."
Huh said earlier Monday that he was pinning high expectations on Park and Lee,
calling on the two to lead younger players who are seen as lacking experience.
"Both are such hard workers that I expect them to play in an exemplary way for
the other players," he said at the Korea Football Association in Seoul.
Lee will arrive in South Korea on Tuesday to join his national team, which will
resume its training later this week.
Ten Asian teams are competing in the final round-robin qualifying series, with
the two top teams from each group of five allowed to advance to the World Cup
finals.
The third-placed teams from each group will play against each other, with the
winner later facing off against the top squad from Oceania.
South Korea had its best record when it advanced to the semifinals of the 2002
World Cup jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea. The team has come short of
reaching the round of 16 in all other appearances.
