Intense Competition for Strikers

South Korea’s Olympic national soccer team, led by Coach Park Seong-hwa, is reaping successful results in the first round of the qualifying games in Asia for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His team has won three consecutive games. But behind the scenes, the competition is getting intense.

Coach Park said at a press conference after a 1-0 match win against Syria on Wednesday, “On offense, shooting decisions fell short of expectations. But when Park Ju-yeong, who is almost recovered from his injury, and Lee Cheong-yong (FC Seoul) both return, I hope that our offense can be strengthened.” His remark was alarming for the other strikers on the national squad.

With Park leading the team, National Youth team players under 20 joined the Olympic team en masse, bringing a huge change to the players’ list. Even Han Dong-won (Seongnam Ilhwa), who netted four goals in the second round of qualifying matches, failed to play in the third final qualifying match and did not have a chance to play as a replacement.

Along with Han Dong-won, Shim Yeong-seong (Jeju United), a former youth national team player, did not have a single chance to play as a striker. Even Shin Yeong-rok, Ha Tae-gyun (both from Suwon Samsung), who barely got a chance to play, will face fierce competition when Park Ju-yeong comes back.

In a match with Syria, midfielder Kim Seung-yong (Gwangju Sangmu), who took a shot on goal with Shin Yeong-rok’s assistance, stands a better chance.

If Coach Park chooses Shin, who has already played with Park Ju-yeong at the 2005 World Youth Football Championship, and Park as the two main strikers, Kim Seung-yong is likely to play as a side midfielder, leading to another change in the midfielder line-up. Lee Geun-ho (Daegu FC) will remain as a left midfielder, but Lee Cheong-yong, Lee Sang-ho (Ulsan Hyundai both) and Lee Seung-hyeon (Busan Ipark) have to compete for the position of right midfielder.

In contrast, the defense line has no replacement players on the horizon. Choi Cheol-sun (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Kim Jin-gyu (Seoul), Kang Min-su (Jeonnam Dragons), and Kim Chang-soo (Daejeon Citizen) form Korea’s “four back” line, but Coach Park said, “What makes me worry is that there is no replacing them in case they get exhausted.”

The reality show “Survivor,” with the winner earning a ticket to Beijing, has just begun.

kimsk@donga.com