Conditioning Coach Rejoins Team Korea

Reymont Ferheyon is a Dutch physical trainer much dreaded by Korean national team members in the 2002 World Cup. He was asked to join Team Korea once again by Dick Advocaat. A specialist in stamina enhancement, Ferheyon was the man behind Korea’s 2002 semifinal glory, for the iron hearts of the Korean squad members were of his making.

After joining the team in March, 2002, he checked and controlled every aspect of the players’ physical condition for the following four months. His training program included a rigorous shuttle-run which was the biggest dread among the players. During his frequent visit to Europe, Advocaat asked that Ferheyon join his team, thinking that Ferheyon, who knows the characteristics of Korean players well, is the best man for the job. Ferheyon decided to head to Korea, leaving behind his post at the Dutch Football Association and a college lecturing post.

Ferheyon had lectured sports physiology at Royal Netherlands Football School before coming to Korea in 2002. His stamina enhancement program was credited with curing the traditional weak spot of Korean soccer.

Having had worked as a physical trainer for Guus Hiddink’s Dutch national team in the 1998 France World Cup, he was offered a job in Korea in 2002. Ferheyon will meet with Advocaat on May 12, three days before the summoning of the team, and discuss how to improve the players’ stamina. Coach Pim Verbeek emphasized the importance of Ferheyon’s role in the upcoming World Cup: “Unlike in 2002, Ferheyon needs to bring the condition of the players to the top in a very short time frame. We expect much from him.”

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com