Koo committed to vie for a spot in the World Cup roster

Taegeuk Warriors of Korea’s national soccer team display stronger commitment than ever to survive the internal race to make the final roster for the 2014 World Cup Soccer finals in Brazil. Footballers playing for European teams have made rare appearances at the National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on Monday. It was the first time that players from Europe were spotted at the center since Hong Myung-bo took the leadership as coach of the national team.

The players joined the national team to play in friendly matches against Haiti at Incheon soccer stadium on Friday, and against Croatia at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on Tuesday next week, both of which scheduled at 8 p.m. Hong plans to define a preliminary list of 23 finalists, including those playing in European leagues, in the team’s roaster to play at the World Cup finals through overall tests. When announcing a list of players on Tuesday last week, Hong said, “We will see competition in earnest between footballers playing in Europe and those who displayed potential at the East Asian Cup and a friendly match against Peru.”

Players who entered the National Football Center also showed stronger commitment than ever before. Koo Ja-cheol (Wolfsburg), clad in suit and tie, said “I have been wearing my tie tightly since when I departed my residence in Germany. Facing competition, I wanted to renew my own commitment.” Koo went on to say, “Having served as a member of the national team, I have gained more experience (than other players),” in expressing confidence. Koo has been playing with the Hong’s squad since Hong served as coach for Korea’s U-20 team and the Olympic team.

Lee Chung-yong (FC Bolton), a flagship starting midfielder of the national team, said, “Competition exists in any team. Players only need to show their capacity and skills without reservation. Who to select is up to the coach,” Lee said, adding however, “If other player plays in my position in the World Cup finals, I will feel disappointed.” Son Heung-min (Leverkusen), who has forged relationship with Hong for the first time, said, “I watched all the East Asian Cup matches in Germany. The national team has failed to score goals, but since good players have joined, I have high expectations,” in expressing his ambition to serve as a scorer.

Ji Dong-won, who recently lost ground in his team Sunderland, said, “The upcoming two friendly matches will likely be a turning point in my soccer career. I hope to do a good job this time and have positive impact on the team.” He thus expressed his commitment to survive the race to become key players in the team, and give positive impressions to Coach Hong and the team.

Park Joo-ho (Mainz 05), who is competing with Yun Suk-young (Queens Park Rangers) to get a defender position, said, “During the final qualifying matches for the World Cup, I have been competing with Suk-young, using the same dormitory room. Competition is inevitable again this time. I will do my best to make the final roster of the national team.”

Players who are playing in the Korean league are just as committed as their rivals from Europe as well. Yun Il-lok, the only player to score goal under Hong’s leadership, said, “I will not back off. If I play by exerting my all abilities, I am adequately competitive,” in expressing commitment. Park Jong-woo (FC Busan) said, “Though players playing Europe are coming, there are also many good players in the Korea league.”