Korean Soccer, Now Is the Time

Guus Hiddink, Head coach of national soccer team, had revealed his ambitious hope to beat France, as he announced the list of national soccer team for the upcoming 2001 Confederation Cup, on 11th. ``The first opponent France is marching with victories over world`s best teams, but I want to break that momentum.`` He put `beating France` to the top priority of the national team.

But Coach Hiddink did not mention about the list of France national team that was announced on 18th.

13 players among National soccer team including Ko Jong-Su (Suwon Samsung) and Kim Do-Hoon (Chonbuk Hyundai) started training from 15th. Among players who play in foreign countries, Seol Ki-Hyun (Roya Antwerp, Belgium) firstly returned to Seoul on 18th. Hwang Sun-Hong, Hong Myong-Bo (both Kasiwa Ryaso, Japan), Yoon Jung-Hwan (Osaka), Choi Yong-Su (Ichihara) will join the team on 20th. And Kang Chul and Choi Sung-Yong (Lask Lintz) who play in Austria, will join on 25th.

The priority of the training is to maintain the best physical condition possible. Coach Park Hang-Suh told that, ``now we are practicing specific tactics, but the practice of general tactics for the game with France will be begun from 20th.``

Head Coach Hiddink remains undecided about such sensitive issue as the kicker position for free-kick, for which Ha Suk-Ju (Pohang Steelers) and Ko Jong-Su is competing.

National team will be evaluated through the preliminary match with Cameroon on 25th. The practice games with domestic pro teams or college teams were not scheduled.

Joo Sung-Won swon@donga.com