Feature: Korea's 'Two Dragons' Breathing Fire

Lee Chung-yong and Ki Sung-yong could not only be about to drag FC Seoul to a first K-League title, but are also looking to help steer the Taeguk Warriors to a seventh successive World Cup appearance.  

The relationship had been simmering for a while but the moment when South Korea officially fell in love with Ki and Lee came on October 11, 2008.  

That night, unseasonably warm, saw the pair not dressed in their usual red-and-black FC Seoul stripes but the red shirt of the national team. The stage was Suwon’s ‘Big Bird’ Stadium, the opposition was Uzbekistan and the occasion was a warm-up match for a World Cup qualifier.  

Lee, the twinkled-toed wide man, skipped past his left-back, raced down the wing and sent over a looping cross that was volleyed home from the edge of the penalty area by Ki. The picture of the pair, dubbed ‘The Two Dragons’, celebrating, was posted on newspapers all the way from Jeju to Paju.

They were again in action, this time in their Seoul World Cup Stadium home, four days later as South Korea thrashed UAE 4-1 in a vital 2010 qualifier. Lee set up the opener with a sublime pass and then was almost cut in half by Basheer Saeed early in the second half. It is a measure of how important Lee has become for both club and country that a general air of depression settled on Seoul World Cup Stadium as he was stretchered off in obvious pain.  

Lee is used to the punishment and recovered quickly to resume what has been a good season domestically. Amid the kicks and the fouls, a statistic of six goals and six assists in 21 matches doesn’t tell the whole story but  is impressive nonetheless. It has also helped Seoul take top spot in the league with just three matches remaining.  

 At 20, a year older than Ki, Lee will be in action with his club-mate when South Korea travel to Saudi Arabia for a November 19 World Cup qualifier. Assuming the two make it to South Africa, it won’t be long before they are starring in Europe on a regular basis - the big boys out west already know about the pair.

Ki, only 19, was linked, rather tenuously last year, to current European title-holders Manchester United, and, more recently and solidly, to past continental champions Porto and Hamburg. 

He has already saved his nation’s and coach’s bacon. Making just his second appearance for the national team in the World Cup qualifier against North Korea in Shanghai in September, the teenager shot home a vital equalizer for the south at a time a goal looked as likely as a unified Korean team appearing at the 2010 World Cup.  

While Ki has scored twice in four appearances for South Korea, it is as an all-action midfielder that he is best-known. He has talked of his desire to play like Steven Gerrard. Whether that came before or after his being dubbed ‘Korea’s Gerrard’ is unclear.  

What is clear is the fact that he has a big future ahead of him. Tall, with an eye for a pass and a shot, a good touch and great control, the teenager has, so far at least, looked comfortable and performed well no matter what the stage.  

Club coach Senol Gunes has helped FC Seoul become a club that is well-known for developing new talent. He is proud of his two prospects but concerned about the attention they are receiving.

“Fans and media, who have a lot of interest in them, need to treat them responsibly,” said Turkey’s 2002 World Cup coach.

“Everyone already thinks they are that they are big players so we can’t accept any mistakes from them. We should treat them as students …but I think that the two players lack nothing in terms of ability.”  

More and more people are sure to find out for themselves before too long.

John Duerden

john.duerden@goal.com