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New South Korea coach Choi Kang-Hee says transition will occur after crucial Kuwait qualifier
The Taeguk Warriors are still not assured of their place in the final round of World Cup qualifying through Asia and their new boss won't tinker with the side until that's done
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Jan 16, 2012 3:39:00 AM
By Ben Somerford
Getty Images
New South Korea coach Choi Kang-Hee insists he isn't looking beyond next month's crucial 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Kuwait despite calls for him to revitalise the squad with new players.
The 52-year-old ex-Jeonbuk Motors boss took over from Cho Kwang-Rae in December with the national team still not assured of its spot in the fourth round of World Cup qualifying through Asia with one game to play.
The Taeguk Warriors must claim at least a point in next month's home clash with Kuwait to clinch their spot in the fourth round and Choi told reporters in Seoul that was his chief focus despite talk he needs to revitalise the team.
"The priority is to fight as a unit against Kuwait on 29 February, when everything will be at stake in a single match,” Choi said.
“We’ll take it as if it’s a final and I need to select the best players regardless of how old they are or which clubs they play for. The most important thing is to pick the right ones so they can perform to their fullest.”
He added: "After that I’ll be able to think about the next step and a natural transition to the next generation of players.”
However, Choi, who guided Jeonbuk to the 2009 and 2011 K-League titles, did reveal he would likely include several players from his former club in the squad for next month's qualifier, including veteran star striker Lee Dong-Gook who has only recently returned to the national team fold.
“I’m thinking about bringing four or five players from Jeonbuk," Choi said.
He continued: “Lee Dong-Gook is the best striker in the K-League, although you can call up Park Chu-Young or Ji Dong-Won from England.
“I’ve heard there has been a controversy on his abilities, but who else could you pick if you were the coach? He was the league’s MVP twice in three years with me at Jeonbuk, and he’s the first man in my mind at the moment.”
The 52-year-old ex-Jeonbuk Motors boss took over from Cho Kwang-Rae in December with the national team still not assured of its spot in the fourth round of World Cup qualifying through Asia with one game to play.
The Taeguk Warriors must claim at least a point in next month's home clash with Kuwait to clinch their spot in the fourth round and Choi told reporters in Seoul that was his chief focus despite talk he needs to revitalise the team.
"The priority is to fight as a unit against Kuwait on 29 February, when everything will be at stake in a single match,” Choi said.
“We’ll take it as if it’s a final and I need to select the best players regardless of how old they are or which clubs they play for. The most important thing is to pick the right ones so they can perform to their fullest.”
He added: "After that I’ll be able to think about the next step and a natural transition to the next generation of players.”
However, Choi, who guided Jeonbuk to the 2009 and 2011 K-League titles, did reveal he would likely include several players from his former club in the squad for next month's qualifier, including veteran star striker Lee Dong-Gook who has only recently returned to the national team fold.
“I’m thinking about bringing four or five players from Jeonbuk," Choi said.
He continued: “Lee Dong-Gook is the best striker in the K-League, although you can call up Park Chu-Young or Ji Dong-Won from England.
“I’ve heard there has been a controversy on his abilities, but who else could you pick if you were the coach? He was the league’s MVP twice in three years with me at Jeonbuk, and he’s the first man in my mind at the moment.”
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