Lee Chun-su Won’t Play in Norway Match

National team coach Dick Advocaat said yesterday that Lee Chun-su will not play in the World Cup warm-up game against Norway. “There has been a slight problem. However, he will be able to play in the Ghana match.” The Norway match is scheduled to be held in Oslo, Norway on June 1 at 2:00 a.m.; the Ghana match will be held in Edinburgh, Scotland on June 4 at 11:00 p.m.

As one of the team’s main attackers, Lee has performed brilliantly in two evaluation matches held in Korea. His willingness was never in doubt as he commented recently that he dyed his hair purple to mark his “new start.” What must have happened is anyone’s guess. Advocaat mentioned “a little problem,” without signifying what that little problem was.

An official from Korea Football Association pointed out that Lee’s stamina might be depleted. It might be in Advocaat’s design that Lee should rest until the start of the World Cup. Or it could be that Lee will skip the Norway match and put into play against Ghana. The Ghana match will be the last warm-up before the national team faces Togo. Another popular guess is that Lee might have been “sent to the corner,” for some reason that has to do with his usual in-your-face attitude. Advocaat has kept silent and the tension surrounding one of the team’s key players rises.

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com