Will Cha Bum-Keun Win?
"Cha Boom Soccer will show up on pro ground for the first time in nine years and five months.
Suwon Samsung head coach Cha Bum-keun is considered to be the most famous star in the 100- year of history of Korean soccer. His one regret is that he has yet to find success as a leader.
Coach Cha played for 10 years in German Bundesliga and returned home in 1989 to conduct the Hyundai team. In 1991 he made his debut as a coach but the team did not win a championship before his departure in 1994. In 1997 he took command of the Nationals, leading the team to the 1998 France World Cup where they fell to Mexico in the main round and were humiliated by the Dutch team with a 0-5 loss. Cha was ultimately discharged from the tournament.
Coach Cha is more determined than ever for his K-League comeback match against Jeonbuk Hyundai in Jeonju World Cup Stadium on April 10. Cha says, "I`ve put a lot of effort into this match since Ive been gone for so long. But I feel the pressure for the match. I`ll bring victory with fast-tempo, team-oriented playing, rather than individual plays."
In the Sungnam Il-hwa and Daejeon Citizen Match Up at the Sungnam First Sports Stadium, Sungnam`s Shin Tae-yong (34) will set a record for most game appearances by an individual, with a total of 372 matches.
The K2 league, whose main axis consists of unemployment teams, kicked off a new season with matches between Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and Gangneung City Hall, Suwon City Hall and Daejeon Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power. A total of five matches will be played. Ten unemployment teams will be divided into upper and lower halves respectively, playing 90 matches between now and November 14. The K2 league currently aims to establish itself as pro soccer division minor league by 2007.
Soon-Il Kwon stt77@donga.com
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