Park May Not Start Against Senegal

It is still unclear whether Park Ji-sung will start in the Senegal match to be held on May 23 at Seoul World Cup Stadium. The British Premier leaguer`s appearance in the upcoming evaluation match has been the talk of the town lately.

90 percent recovered-

Park injured his right ankle at a Middlesbrough game on May 2 and missed the final match of the season against Charlton on May 8. National team doctor Kim Hyeon-cheol ordered a 3-day rehabilitation stint for Park, who joined the team on May 14 after coming back to Korea on 12. Park appeared on the training field on May 17. Under the guidance of the team`s physical trainer Raymont Ferheyon, Park commenced physical training and shooting exercises on May 19, indicating that his recovery has passed the rehabilitation stage. Asked of his physical condition at the moment, Park put up nine fingers to say it was about nine out of ten. This could mean that Park might make a brief appearance in Senegal match scheduled on May 23.

But most experts remain wary of Park’s Senegal match appearance. Park has made a successful debut in European arena; his consequent growth in the Premier League has surpassed all expectations. When no one denies the importance of his role in the team`s offense, the team has nothing to prove by exposing him to another injury risk. Dick Advocaat also made clear that the Senegal match will be played by a mix of the team’s best members and testers.

Senegal will help assess Togo-

To size up its first World Cup opponent, Togo, the Korean national team picked Senegal as an evaluation match partner. Although Senegal failed in its World Cup bid because of Togo, it is a team that cannot be easily dismissed. Senegal rose to the quarterfinals in 2002 while defeating France in the opening game. Senegal’s favorite El-Hadji Diouf (Bolton) and Henry Kamara (Wigan) are not in the team; but Abdoulaye Faye (Bolton) and French leaguers make up a formidable roster still.

Kim Du-hyeon will be tested in midfield-

Advocaat will assess the team’s condition in the Senegal game and test out his best 11. The void from Park Ji-sung’s absence will likely be filled by Kim Du-hyeon (Seongnam Ilhwa). According to Seongnam manager Kim Hak-beom, Kim Du-hyeon excels in controlling the pace of the game and is equipped with precise passes. He also moves constantly in the field, drawing out opposing midfielders so that his teammates can have spaces to make attacks.

Lee Eul-ryong (Trabzonspor) and Kim Nam-il are two defensive midfielders positioned behind Kim Du-hyeon. Ahn Jung-hwan will be the pinnacle of Korea’s offense, while Seol Ki-hyeon (Wolverhampton) and Lee Chun-su (Ulsan Hyundai) will likely assume the role of wing-forwards on each side.

Jae-Yun Jung jaeyuna@donga.com