Competing... But Encouraging Each Other

"We are pals here. We will make it through the final 16 together."

It is Hiddink`s Korean national soccer team strategy training that took place at San Diego`s Hickman Field, U.S.A. 3 groups consisting of 8 players each played a mini game, and the `millennium express` Lee Chun Su (21) and Cha Du Ri (22, Korea Univ. both) particularly stood out.

Lee shook the ground with his famous snappy play style, and Cha threatened the enemy`s goal post like a `hunting leopard`. Cha even scored a goal in the day`s practice match, and earned himself Hiddink`s applause.

Although the two players were not on the same team and played as rivals, they displayed their close friendship by advising and encouraging each other. They even attend the same school with 1 year difference in grade. Cha is a Junior and Lee a Sophomore at Korea University. As it is common with students, a senior-junior relationship with only one year difference is particularly difficult, but the two have no reservations. Instead, they are sharing the same spirit for the World Cup as if they were brothers.

The ongoing field training and the CONCACAF Gold Cup will be an important turning point for them.

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com