`Golden Line` Penetrates the Center

`Healthy body has healthy wings.`

The Korean national soccer team will play its 2002 CONCACF Gold Cup B Group match with U.S.A. on the 20th at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl stadium near Los Angeles, California. The team will count on the `golden line`, connecting Hwang Sun-Hong - Lee Chun-Soo - Song Jong-Guk - Yoo Sang-Chul, for victory.

The Korean team held a practice session on the 18th at a high school field near Pomona, and focused on offensive strategy that starts from Yoo Sang-Chul’s forward pass, connecting central midfielders like Song Jong-Guk and Lee Chun-Soo, and effectively holds the two sides in balance.

It is a big change in strategy compared to last year’s December match with U.S.A., in which Korea invaded the sides, using Lee Chun-Su and Choi Tae-Wook’s speed, revolving around Hwang Sun-Hong. The change in strategy is not only due to Choi Tae-Wook’s ankle injury, but also for taking new offensive measures.

Lee Chun-Soo will play a central role in the `Golden line`, and is also responsible for answering coach Guss Hiddink’s demand that he bring out the enemy’s defenders and make long-distance lightning goals. The defense line will consist of `3- supports`, and the empty side wings will be filled by Lee Chun-Soo. Lee Ul-Yong and Park Ji-Sung are to break through the sides when blocked by the enemy’s defense, and provide frontline Choi Yong-Soo with the space for making goal shots.

Hwang Sun-Hong is assigned to the playmaker position along with Lee Chun-Soo. He displayed his veteran talent on this day and made many shooting opportunities for Korea’s second offense line just as he did during last December’s match with the U.S. team.

It is also to be noted that Song Jong-Guk is placed as a defensive midfielder. The strategy is to create momentum in the offense line by bringing down stable defender Yoo Sang-Chul and move Song Jong-Guk up front instead.

Hiddink’s new experimental strategy is expected to create confusion in the U.S. team. It is known that the U.S. team has been focusing on blocking Korea’s wings so far.

Keuk-In Bae bae2150@donga.com