Hong: Expect No Less from Korean Soccer

National soccer team coach Hong Myeong-bo congratulated the national baseball team on making it to World Baseball Classic’s final four yesterday, and said that the soccer team’s first goal is to reach the final 16 in the 2006 Germany World Cup. “Anything beyond the final 16 is not something we can speak easily of, since there are many variables,” said Hong. “The Korean national baseball team gave all of us a wonderful present. The national soccer team will do the same and meet our goal of making the final 16.”

Talent Search-

Hong said that the national team has been looking to pro clubs in search of additional talent. “We cannot disclose any names at this point, but we do have some people in mind,” said Hong. The national team’s coaching staff will present their findings to Dick Advocaat when he returns on March 21.

The additional members will most likely be used on the team’s bench. Defensive midfielder Lee Ho (Ulsan Hyundai), and right defender Jo Won-hee (Suwon Samsung) are both injured, and left defender Kim Dong-jin (FC Seoul) will be held out of the upcoming Togo match, Team Korea’s first World Cup opponent, after being carded out of the game against Saudi Arabia.

“Injuries put a hole in our defense line. We must prepare ourselves and not rely on certain players to last throughout the tournament. Advocaat will make his decisions after watching more pro league games,” Hong said.

Hong also spoke about the return of World Cup veterans Song Jong-guk (Suwon Samsung) and goalie Kim Byeong-ji (FC Seoul) to the national team. “We saw Song playing in matches, and he has apparently recovered from his injury,” said Hong. As far as Kim is concerned, there has been little discussion among the coaching staff about the prospects of his return as of yet.

Team almost complete-

According to Hong, the team’s understanding of its strategy is at about eighty percent. “We are working hard to perfect it in the remaining time,” said Hong. “The Korean baseball team has given a lot of joy to our people. I feel that people expect even more from their soccer team. We’ll try our best to give them what they want.”

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com