My sister and her boyfriend recently announced that they will be getting married after a healthy four year relationship. I just want to take this time to congratulate them for the exciting accomplishment.
The 2006 World Cup-connected couple are both fans of the sport, and, to my understanding, admirers of my writing.
I wish them a world of happiness and a joy on their wedding day next year.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Announcement
Seriously Korean will return on January 4th.
There have been unexpected changes in my holiday plans and I have not been able to find the time to write my materials. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Do keep in mind that I intend on updating this blog on a daily basis. Next week, I will be finishing up 'Changes we can expect from Choe Ganghui' with part 2 of the entry. I also have a few things I want to say about Hong Myeongbo so be sure to check that out.
There have been unexpected changes in my holiday plans and I have not been able to find the time to write my materials. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Do keep in mind that I intend on updating this blog on a daily basis. Next week, I will be finishing up 'Changes we can expect from Choe Ganghui' with part 2 of the entry. I also have a few things I want to say about Hong Myeongbo so be sure to check that out.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Korean players abroad - Tuesday December 27th, 2011
Bak Juyeong - Arsenal vs Wolverhampton - 0:00 AM Korea time
- did not dress
News feed Tuesday 26th, 2011: I Cheonsu seeks a return to K-League
Two and a half years ago, I Cheonsu, then a Chunnam Dragon loan, tussled with one of the members of the coaching staff after refusing to suit up for a match. In days succeeding, I Cheonsu signed a contract with Al-Nasr FC of Saudi Arabia.
Having pressured to accept due to I's loan status as a Feyenoord player, and no longer wanting him around the clubhouse, Chunnam allowed the move. The club later reported the transfer to be a contract violation, which meant I Cheonsu, under the league's rules, will only be able to return to the K-League if and when Chunnam permits him. Such conditions did not stop rumours from linking I Cheonsu to various Korean clubs around the peninsula throughout the past two years. In an interview with Seo Hojeong of Football1st, I Cheonsu explained his apologies to Chunnam's staff since the incident and his desire to return to the K-League. Here are other news around Korean football today:
Having pressured to accept due to I's loan status as a Feyenoord player, and no longer wanting him around the clubhouse, Chunnam allowed the move. The club later reported the transfer to be a contract violation, which meant I Cheonsu, under the league's rules, will only be able to return to the K-League if and when Chunnam permits him. Such conditions did not stop rumours from linking I Cheonsu to various Korean clubs around the peninsula throughout the past two years. In an interview with Seo Hojeong of Football1st, I Cheonsu explained his apologies to Chunnam's staff since the incident and his desire to return to the K-League. Here are other news around Korean football today:
- Gim Hyeongbeom of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will go on an 1-year loan to Daejon Citizen FC. Gim says he has recovered from his right ankle and right knee injuries that saw him getting just 10 minutes of field action since November of 2008. The dead ball specialist will be heading to Daejeon's training camp in Mexico where he will be met by his former Ulsan Hyundai FC teammate, and now manager, Yu Sangcheol.
- Korean Football Federation, intentionally or unintentionally, confirmed Baek Seongdong's transfer to Japan's Jubilo Iwata yesterday. The 20 year old amateur had been denying the reports of a J.League transfer claiming that no contract with any Japanese club had been completed. However, when the U23 roster was announced and listed yesterday on its website, the KFA no longer had him playing in Yonsei University, instead opting to decipher him a Jubilo player.
- Nam Taehui's move to Lekhwiya FC of Qatar is all but a completed medical away from being finalized. Djamel Belmadi--manager of Lekhwiya and former teammate of Nam at Valenciennes FC--is believed to have approached Nam as early as last summer, but the possibility of the transfer only came into fruition during the recent drop in Nam's playing time. The Doha based club won the 2010-11 season of Qatar Sports League and will be seen in 2012 AFC Champions League.
- Hamburger SV and Sunderland AFC were confirmed as participants in next year's Peace Cup. The invitational tournament will be held during late July, this time featuring fan favourites Son Heungmin and Ji Dongwon. One other club will join the two sides and the host Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma to compete in the four team cup chase.
- Ventforet Kofu of Japan announced yesterday that Gim Jingyu's contract will not be renewed. The Korean international signed a five months contract last July with Kofu after being released by Delian Shide FC of China. Kofu was relegated from J.League this year and will be playing in the second division for the upcoming season.
- Suwon Samsung Bluewings signed 31 year old Australian Eddy Bosnar to a 2 year contract. The central defender of Croatian descent has spent the last four years playing in Japan.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Korean players abroad - Monday December 26th, 2011
I Cheongyong - Bolton Wanderers vs Newcastle United - 22:00 PM Korea time
Bak Jiseong - Manchester United vs Wigan Athletic - 22:00 PM Korea time
- Did not dress [ankle injury]
Bak Jiseong - Manchester United vs Wigan Athletic - 22:00 PM Korea time
- Played full match
- Second league goal, second og the season
- Did not play
Hong Myeongbo's U23 team announced
Korea's U23 team for the upcoming King's Cup in Thailand was announced today. The team will hold a camp in Okinawa between January 6-11, before opening the tournament against Chinese Taipei on the 15th. The game will be followed by matches against Denmark (18th) and Norway (21st).
The squad to face Saudi Arabia's U23 team in the upcoming London Olympics qualification will be finalized on the 25th of January.
Changes we can expect under Choe Ganghui (part 1)
Last week, Choe Ganghui replaced Jo Gwangrae to become the new head coach for men's senior team. As it happens with many alterations, changes in the squad should be expected. Already, Choe has expressed his desire to not only select, but start I Donggug in the upcoming World Cup qualification against Kuwait. He has yet to provide the media his blueprint, but he did, however, note days prior to the announcement that 'if he was ever made the manager,' he would consider using I Donggug and Bak Juyeong together.
Another thing that was mentioned before the final announcement was a formation change. The last manager was heavily criticized for enforcing, as we later found out, a type of football unorthodox and outlandishly foreign in Korea. Manager Choe commented that the Spanish revolution was not a success and using two strikers would be more adequate against Asian opponents. If Choe is not a lying man, we will most likely see a 4-4-2 formation starting against Kuwait come February.
So now that the big picture is out, what others changes will we see from the man who plays computer strategy games as a hobby? For one, he promised on the day of his signing that the base of his team will be focused by domestic players, perhaps meaning to highlight the recent struggles of Korea's Europe based players. The likes of Bak Juyeong, Son Heungmin, and Nam Taehui have been playing significantly less minutes at their respective clubs in comparison to their K-League squad mates and the time may have come for them to switch places with older, K-League-r players who have been, for the most part, warming the seats under their previous manager. Let's look at the possible replacement candidates:
I Donggug, FW, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - There will be those pondering, 'how many lives does this guy have?', but this selection is a no brainer. Korea's two main striking options from the Jo Gwangrae era--Bak Juyeong and Ji Dongwon--are finding a hard time getting minutes in England. Their playing form, physical condition, and confidence level will be questionable come February and Korea has only so few others to rely on.
Ever since signing with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2009, I Donggug has been lightning it up the score sheet, winning the K-League scoring title in his first year with the club and the AFC Champions League scoring title this year. Combine those two competitions and he has scored 57 goals in 95 matches during his Jeonbuk stint, all of which came playing playing under Choe Ganghui. His performance at the national team level may have disappointed you in the past, but if there ever was a time to place your trust in this man, it is right now when Choe Ganghui is his coach.
Bak Juho, DF, FC Basel - Many different left backs have been tested since I Yeongpyo's retirement, yet not one of them have performed their way to a de facto starting player. With the recent coaching change, it is likely that there will be another baton switch. Luckily for the next guy in line, the FC Basel defender has adjusted quite well to his new club, most recently helping his club advance to the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League. The often injured skipper looks to have raised his fitness level by a few notches since arriving in Switzerland, and has been seen making incredible overlapping runs that reminded us all of Bak Juho during his days as a U20 captain.
Baek Seongdong, MF, Yonsei University - Baek Seongdong came onto the limelight during this year's U20 World Cup. His performance against Spain, especially, was received with utmost praise by the fans and later became an internet sensation after it was compiled into a video highlight. When Hong Myeongbo, the manager of the current U23 team, tried the normally winger at the attacking midfielder position, Baek responded very well to test. He has since been made an everyday starter under Hong, playing the role of a hustling link between midfielders and attackers. The 20 year old's performance at the U23 level has been generally inspiring and it is hard to believe Choe Ganghui will miss out on an opportunity to see him out.
Gim Sinuk, FW, Ulsan Hyundai FC - At 196 cm, he is the tallest field player in K-League right now. Believed still to be learning how to use his size after being turned into a centre forward by Gim Hogon three years ago, the 23 year old's scoring total has remained steadily low at 7, 7, and 8 since making his debut back in 2009. However, the general evaluation among fans is that his performance has been progressing into the right path. His physical presence came to a shining in the latter stages of this season when he posed a constant aerial threat to the opposition's defenders during the playoffs whilst helping Ulsan make an underdog run to the championship final.
Gim Sinuk also has the odd experience of playing central midfielder as a youth and often shocks the stands with smooth touches and wild dribbles. For now, he is not as agile and mobile as a national team striker is required to be, but the World Cup is long away and there remains a lot of matches to be played in between. With the kind of progress he has been making, and at the rate he has been making them, it would be a safe bet to think he will be integrated into the national team at some point in the cycle.
Jo Seonghwan, DF, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - When Choe Ganghui declared that Jeonbuk would use an all out attacking strategy, it meant it was time Jo Seonghwan to become a serious business. A sole bright point in an otherwise very poor Jeonbuk defence, Jo put in performances of a lifetime during year 2011 and got named to K-League's Best 11 for the first time in his career. Without Jo, Jeonbuk lost in the AFC Champions League final. With Jo, Jeonbuk defeated Ulsan comfortably to win the domestic title. Choe Ganghui just might return the favour by calling Jo Seunghwan to the national team.
Dzenan Radoncic, FW, Suwon Samsung Bluewings - If Radoncic's naturalization turns out successful, he should be considered as an option for the same reasons why Gim Sinuk should be considered. Similar in physical size and playing style, only thing that sets them apart is age. If Gim has the upside, then Radoncic has the experience. This mention is a prelude to an entry on Radoncic, which I plan on making in days ahead.
In the second part of the entry, I will discuss which of the current regulars are candidates to be cut in Choe Ganghui's era and what the final formation may end up looking like if my expectations come out true.
Another thing that was mentioned before the final announcement was a formation change. The last manager was heavily criticized for enforcing, as we later found out, a type of football unorthodox and outlandishly foreign in Korea. Manager Choe commented that the Spanish revolution was not a success and using two strikers would be more adequate against Asian opponents. If Choe is not a lying man, we will most likely see a 4-4-2 formation starting against Kuwait come February.
So now that the big picture is out, what others changes will we see from the man who plays computer strategy games as a hobby? For one, he promised on the day of his signing that the base of his team will be focused by domestic players, perhaps meaning to highlight the recent struggles of Korea's Europe based players. The likes of Bak Juyeong, Son Heungmin, and Nam Taehui have been playing significantly less minutes at their respective clubs in comparison to their K-League squad mates and the time may have come for them to switch places with older, K-League-r players who have been, for the most part, warming the seats under their previous manager. Let's look at the possible replacement candidates:
I Donggug, FW, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - There will be those pondering, 'how many lives does this guy have?', but this selection is a no brainer. Korea's two main striking options from the Jo Gwangrae era--Bak Juyeong and Ji Dongwon--are finding a hard time getting minutes in England. Their playing form, physical condition, and confidence level will be questionable come February and Korea has only so few others to rely on.
Ever since signing with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2009, I Donggug has been lightning it up the score sheet, winning the K-League scoring title in his first year with the club and the AFC Champions League scoring title this year. Combine those two competitions and he has scored 57 goals in 95 matches during his Jeonbuk stint, all of which came playing playing under Choe Ganghui. His performance at the national team level may have disappointed you in the past, but if there ever was a time to place your trust in this man, it is right now when Choe Ganghui is his coach.
Bak Juho, DF, FC Basel - Many different left backs have been tested since I Yeongpyo's retirement, yet not one of them have performed their way to a de facto starting player. With the recent coaching change, it is likely that there will be another baton switch. Luckily for the next guy in line, the FC Basel defender has adjusted quite well to his new club, most recently helping his club advance to the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League. The often injured skipper looks to have raised his fitness level by a few notches since arriving in Switzerland, and has been seen making incredible overlapping runs that reminded us all of Bak Juho during his days as a U20 captain.
Baek Seongdong, MF, Yonsei University - Baek Seongdong came onto the limelight during this year's U20 World Cup. His performance against Spain, especially, was received with utmost praise by the fans and later became an internet sensation after it was compiled into a video highlight. When Hong Myeongbo, the manager of the current U23 team, tried the normally winger at the attacking midfielder position, Baek responded very well to test. He has since been made an everyday starter under Hong, playing the role of a hustling link between midfielders and attackers. The 20 year old's performance at the U23 level has been generally inspiring and it is hard to believe Choe Ganghui will miss out on an opportunity to see him out.
Gim Sinuk, FW, Ulsan Hyundai FC - At 196 cm, he is the tallest field player in K-League right now. Believed still to be learning how to use his size after being turned into a centre forward by Gim Hogon three years ago, the 23 year old's scoring total has remained steadily low at 7, 7, and 8 since making his debut back in 2009. However, the general evaluation among fans is that his performance has been progressing into the right path. His physical presence came to a shining in the latter stages of this season when he posed a constant aerial threat to the opposition's defenders during the playoffs whilst helping Ulsan make an underdog run to the championship final.
Gim Sinuk also has the odd experience of playing central midfielder as a youth and often shocks the stands with smooth touches and wild dribbles. For now, he is not as agile and mobile as a national team striker is required to be, but the World Cup is long away and there remains a lot of matches to be played in between. With the kind of progress he has been making, and at the rate he has been making them, it would be a safe bet to think he will be integrated into the national team at some point in the cycle.
Jo Seonghwan, DF, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - When Choe Ganghui declared that Jeonbuk would use an all out attacking strategy, it meant it was time Jo Seonghwan to become a serious business. A sole bright point in an otherwise very poor Jeonbuk defence, Jo put in performances of a lifetime during year 2011 and got named to K-League's Best 11 for the first time in his career. Without Jo, Jeonbuk lost in the AFC Champions League final. With Jo, Jeonbuk defeated Ulsan comfortably to win the domestic title. Choe Ganghui just might return the favour by calling Jo Seunghwan to the national team.
Dzenan Radoncic, FW, Suwon Samsung Bluewings - If Radoncic's naturalization turns out successful, he should be considered as an option for the same reasons why Gim Sinuk should be considered. Similar in physical size and playing style, only thing that sets them apart is age. If Gim has the upside, then Radoncic has the experience. This mention is a prelude to an entry on Radoncic, which I plan on making in days ahead.
In the second part of the entry, I will discuss which of the current regulars are candidates to be cut in Choe Ganghui's era and what the final formation may end up looking like if my expectations come out true.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Who is Choe Ganghui?
The new head coach for the senior team was announced past week. This article is a must read for anyone who are unfamiliar with Choe Ganghui.
Choe Ganghui was the manager that led Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to the club's first ever AFC Champions League title back in 2006 in just his second season at helm. This year, he reached the final yet again, losing to Al-Sadd of Qatar in penalties.
Outside of their success at the Asian competition, most of you will know Jeonbuk as the dominant force in Korea that has won two of the last three K-League championships. The club collected league leading 18 wins this season and comfortably defeated Ulsan in the Championship final to achieve their title. But they were not always the powerhouse they look to have become.
The name 'Hyundai Motors', termed after its owner Hyundai Motor Group and a major player in the world's automobile industry, may provide the impression that Jeonbuk can top the Forbes Soccer Valuation chart, but the truth is a far cry.
It is persevered as one of the main reasons why Choe Ganghui--then completely new to managing--was considered for the position, but when he took over as the club's head coach back in July of 2005, Jeonbuk was a mid-to-bottom table club under serious financial constraints. Players were living off instant noodles and microwaveable foods because the club could not afford a professional chef and the club of 12 year history was still missing a proper training facility. Success, as expected, were not on their side either as they were in 11th place out of 13 K-League clubs at the time of the new hiring.
Between year 2004 and 2006, just five of the club's players were called up to Korea's senior national team, and all, but captain Choe Jincheol, were sold to other clubs within a year of their national team debut. Only when Choe Ganghui discovered young talents such as Yeom Gihoon and Gim Hyeongbeom, and led the squad to a Champions League title, Hyundai Motor Group's eyes were opened to the marketing opportunity and raised the club's budget.
The increased budget meant the club no longer had to sell their players to balance the books, but it still was not enough for Jeonbuk to become a buying club. To this day, Ha Daeseong, who quietly moved to Jeonbuk after a good-but-far-from-excellent season in 2008, remains the only player Choe Ganghui purchased strictly with cash.
However, the deficient transfer funds did not stop Choe Ganghui from signing unwanted, believed-to-be-declining veterans and reviving their forms of yester-years. Under Choe Ganghui, Choe Taeuk--a forgotten figure by year 2007--returned to his prime and made a way back into the national team after four years of exclusion. Since signing with Jeonbuk back in 2009, 32 years old I Donggug and 35 years old Gim Sangsik have been playing the best football of their careers.
Manager Choe also displayed an aptitude in developing younger talent during this time when he took Choe Cheolsun, 173 cm, and Seo Jeongjin, 176 cm--physically small players who could have easily been ignored by others--and turned them into K-League stars and eventual national team members. Jeonbuk became K-League's principal force when manager Choe successfully combined his young talents with his veterans.
In 2011, Choe Ganghui swept the league with a phenomenon known as 닥공 ('dak gong', literally translated into 'shut up and attack'). Before the start of the season, he promised Jeonbuk's supporters that the team would seek to attack throughout the entire match regardless of the score. Choe Ganghui kept the promise and the routine came to be known as 'dakgong' later in the year.
As of a result of the strategy, Jeonbuk amassed league leading 67 goals in regular season, but dakgong was not to be short lived. Dakgong received a sensational response from both the media and football fans during the championship final when Choi Ganghui substituted Jeong Seonghun, a striker, in for Jeong Hun, a defensive midfielder, while Jeonbuk was leading the aggregate score.
Not too long after the final, coach Jo Gwangrae was relieved of national team duty and the name Choe Ganghui surfaced all over the web. Choe Ganghui had just won a K-League title, displayed--using dakgong--what kind of offensive prowess Korean players were capable of, and had the experience of being part of a national team set up during Humberto Coelho's tenure in Korea. However, coach Choi was keen on staying at a club setting, and more importantly, at Jeonbuk, and declined the offer when it was made.
It is rumoured that the Hyundai Motor Group had a big part in the decision making process that led Choe Ganghui to change his mind and take the job. Hyundai Motor Company, as well as being the owner of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, is a leading sponsor of the Korean Football Federation. How the influence was made and exactly how much he wants the job is open to anyone's guess, but one thing that is clear is that Choe Ganghui, unlike Jo Gwangrae, earned his shot through repetition of success and displays of excellence on a variety of coaching criterias. Choe Ganghui may not have been your first choice, but there is no doubt that he deserves a chance from you.
Choe Ganghui was the manager that led Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to the club's first ever AFC Champions League title back in 2006 in just his second season at helm. This year, he reached the final yet again, losing to Al-Sadd of Qatar in penalties.
Outside of their success at the Asian competition, most of you will know Jeonbuk as the dominant force in Korea that has won two of the last three K-League championships. The club collected league leading 18 wins this season and comfortably defeated Ulsan in the Championship final to achieve their title. But they were not always the powerhouse they look to have become.
The name 'Hyundai Motors', termed after its owner Hyundai Motor Group and a major player in the world's automobile industry, may provide the impression that Jeonbuk can top the Forbes Soccer Valuation chart, but the truth is a far cry.
It is persevered as one of the main reasons why Choe Ganghui--then completely new to managing--was considered for the position, but when he took over as the club's head coach back in July of 2005, Jeonbuk was a mid-to-bottom table club under serious financial constraints. Players were living off instant noodles and microwaveable foods because the club could not afford a professional chef and the club of 12 year history was still missing a proper training facility. Success, as expected, were not on their side either as they were in 11th place out of 13 K-League clubs at the time of the new hiring.
Between year 2004 and 2006, just five of the club's players were called up to Korea's senior national team, and all, but captain Choe Jincheol, were sold to other clubs within a year of their national team debut. Only when Choe Ganghui discovered young talents such as Yeom Gihoon and Gim Hyeongbeom, and led the squad to a Champions League title, Hyundai Motor Group's eyes were opened to the marketing opportunity and raised the club's budget.
The increased budget meant the club no longer had to sell their players to balance the books, but it still was not enough for Jeonbuk to become a buying club. To this day, Ha Daeseong, who quietly moved to Jeonbuk after a good-but-far-from-excellent season in 2008, remains the only player Choe Ganghui purchased strictly with cash.
However, the deficient transfer funds did not stop Choe Ganghui from signing unwanted, believed-to-be-declining veterans and reviving their forms of yester-years. Under Choe Ganghui, Choe Taeuk--a forgotten figure by year 2007--returned to his prime and made a way back into the national team after four years of exclusion. Since signing with Jeonbuk back in 2009, 32 years old I Donggug and 35 years old Gim Sangsik have been playing the best football of their careers.
Manager Choe also displayed an aptitude in developing younger talent during this time when he took Choe Cheolsun, 173 cm, and Seo Jeongjin, 176 cm--physically small players who could have easily been ignored by others--and turned them into K-League stars and eventual national team members. Jeonbuk became K-League's principal force when manager Choe successfully combined his young talents with his veterans.
In 2011, Choe Ganghui swept the league with a phenomenon known as 닥공 ('dak gong', literally translated into 'shut up and attack'). Before the start of the season, he promised Jeonbuk's supporters that the team would seek to attack throughout the entire match regardless of the score. Choe Ganghui kept the promise and the routine came to be known as 'dakgong' later in the year.
As of a result of the strategy, Jeonbuk amassed league leading 67 goals in regular season, but dakgong was not to be short lived. Dakgong received a sensational response from both the media and football fans during the championship final when Choi Ganghui substituted Jeong Seonghun, a striker, in for Jeong Hun, a defensive midfielder, while Jeonbuk was leading the aggregate score.
Not too long after the final, coach Jo Gwangrae was relieved of national team duty and the name Choe Ganghui surfaced all over the web. Choe Ganghui had just won a K-League title, displayed--using dakgong--what kind of offensive prowess Korean players were capable of, and had the experience of being part of a national team set up during Humberto Coelho's tenure in Korea. However, coach Choi was keen on staying at a club setting, and more importantly, at Jeonbuk, and declined the offer when it was made.
It is rumoured that the Hyundai Motor Group had a big part in the decision making process that led Choe Ganghui to change his mind and take the job. Hyundai Motor Company, as well as being the owner of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, is a leading sponsor of the Korean Football Federation. How the influence was made and exactly how much he wants the job is open to anyone's guess, but one thing that is clear is that Choe Ganghui, unlike Jo Gwangrae, earned his shot through repetition of success and displays of excellence on a variety of coaching criterias. Choe Ganghui may not have been your first choice, but there is no doubt that he deserves a chance from you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)