Sul Gi-Hyun – Lee Chun-Su – Park Ji-Sung, `Three-Top`

`Young triangular formation` Sul Gi-Hyun (23. Anderlecht) – Lee Cheon-Su (21. Ulsan) – Park Ji-Sung (21. Kyoto Purple Sanga) is to play three-top in the evaluation match with Scotland.

Coach Guus Hiddink announced the starting members for the Scottish match, which is to be held at Pusan World Cup Stadium on the 16th, after the morning training at Seoguipo Dongbu Stadium, Jeju, on the 14th.

Hiddink, who is seeking the best `offensive combination`, is to test offense by placing Sul in the middle as one-top, Lee on the left wing, and Park on the right. Yoo Sang-Chul (Kashiwa Reysol) was selected as the offensive midfielder, and for defensive midfielder and left-right wing backs, Kim Nam-Il (Jeonnam), Lee Eul-Yong (Buchon), and Song Jong-Kuk (Pusan) are to participate, respectively. Defense will consist of the `three veterans` Hong Myeong-Bo (33. Pohang) – Kim Tae-Hyung (32. Jeonnam) – Choi Jin-Chul (31. Jeonbuk), who maintained no loss point during the past 5 matches, and Kim Byeong-Ji (Pohang) will guard the goal.

Considering that Scotland omits midfield play by using 4 big defenders in a straight line to make long passes for the strikers, the style is similar to the first opponent in the finals, Poland. Hiddink seems to have formed the start-up as to focus on defense against Scotland, which is Poland’s virtual equal. It is to be noticed that strong and defensive Yoo Sang-Chul is chosen instead of offensive midfielder Yoon Jeong-Hwan, and Park Ji-Sung is appointed at the right-wing. Hiddink explained, “Park’s play does not stick out but his cover-play is good, which will help keeping the balance between offense and defense, and the same goes for Yoo who will participate in central offense.”

“Foreign-based players do not reach equal physical conditions of domestic players yet. Tests will continue working on physical strength,” said Hiddink, who recently examined several offensive combinations like Hwang Sun-Hong – Choi Yong-Su – Ahn Jeong-Hwan and Sul Gi-Hyun – Hwang Sun-Hong – Cha Doo-Ri.

He also added, “I am considering substitution for Hwang Sun-Hong (Kashiwa Reysol), and offensive players like Ahn Jeong-Hwan (Perugia) may replace Park Ji-Sung’s position if needed.”

Meanwhile, the Scottish national team arrived at Incheon Airport on the day, and immediately moved to Pusan.

buddy@donga.com