Hiddink ``Professional Made from Perspiration``

``Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.``

The dictum is also true even in the sports world. Even though they have outstanding natural abilities, the sports players may remain ordinary without efforts. It goes without saying that the truth has more validity in the professional sports world.

In this sense, among the Korean National soccer team, `witty boy` Lee Young-Pyo (24, Anyang LG) and `enfant terrible` Ko Jong-Su (23, Suwon Samsung) show a good comparison.

Lee Young-Pyo, a regular player of the Hiddink squad, has received the unchanging love from Head Coach Guus Hiddink because of his faithful and constant plays. Despite he has inferior natural ability to Ko, Lee has maintained his position in the national team by working much harder than other players. Lee began the religious life in order to shake off the temptations and to collect his scattered mind. An official of his team said that he did not seem to become a devout religious person yet, but he was endeavoring to obtain the metal stability.

Because of such a sincere attitude, Lee never missed the national team roaster in six-time national team conscription, except two-time injury absence, since Hiddink became a head coach. As a versatile player who can take defender, central offensive midfielder as well as left and right wingback, Lee has received the trust from Hiddink to the extent that he has participated in 12 games among 13 A-matches this year.

In stark contrast, Ko Jong-Su, who otherwise could be a prince of the Hiddink squad, is losing his fame by neglecting the self-management, in spite of having a god-given ability. The fans had loved his unique style thus far, and coach Hiddink also showed his concern praising Ko`s instinctive and bold plays. However, due to his protrusive behaviors as well as his weakness in physical strength, Hiddink turned his sight away from Ko.

In spite of having been in the rehabilitation process, Ko recently was even involved in a violence case at a bar in Kangnam, Seoul. This is an unacceptable behavior when considering that he should have paid attention to take care of his physical condition because he received a right knee surgery in Germany. Now the fans are forgetting his existence.

The contrasting example of Lee Young-Pyo and Ko Jong-Su shows the importance of hard work in the professional sports world.

Yang Jong-Koo yjongk@donga.com