Asian Games Rosters announced + Update from U-20 Women’s World Cup

Alright, so lots to go over. The Asian Games Rosters (men and women) have been announced, and on the Men’s side, as we found out yesterday, no Son Heung Min. Also, Korea’s U20 women played Mexico in an attempt to make the Quarter-Finals of the U20 Women’s World Cup – we’ll have an update – as well as a quick recap of the Korean Players Abroad in their midweek action.

Asian Games Roster (Men)
GK: Kim Seung-Gyu, No Dong-Geon
DF: Kim Jin-Su, Kwak Hae-Seong, Kim Min-Hyeok, Lee Joo-Yeong, Jang Hyun-Soo, Im Chang-Woo, Choi Seung-Geun
MF: Son Jun-Ho, Kim Young-Uk, Lee Jae-Song, Park Joo-Ho, Moon Sang-Yoon, Yun Il-Lok, An Yong-Woo, Kim Seung-Dae
FW: Kim Shin-Wook, Lee Yong-Jae, Lee Jong-Ho

The overage players are Kim Seung-Gyu, Park Joo-Ho, and Kim Shin-Wook. Much to my surprise, Lee Yong was not selected, and I don’t recall him ever winning exemption. Son Heung-Min misses out, like I mentioned for the umpteenth time on twitter and once in this post. I’m very disappointed in Bayer Leverkusen’s decision to leave him out. It thoroughly baffles me.

If the other writers want to add their thoughts on the rosters, they can add them here. In any case, let’s move on to the women’s side of things.

>>Jinseok and I double posted the same thing. It happens sometimes. He’s got a more indepth preview of the Men’s Roster. Read that too.

Asian Games Roster (Women)
Remember, the Women’s Tournament is a full-on no age limit event.
GK: Kim Jung-Mi, Jun Min-Kyung
DF: Kim Do-Yeon, Shim Seo-Yeon, Kim Hye-Ri, Song Su-Ran, Shin Dam-Yeong, Im Seon-Joo
MF: Kwon Ha-Neul, Park Hee-Young, Choi Yu-Ri, Lee So-Dam, Lee Young-Ju, Jeon Ga-Eul, Cho So-Hyun
FW: Jung Seol-Bin, Yoo Young-A, Ji So-Yun (enters after Group Stage)

I’m a bit surprised that Park Eun-Seon isn’t there. She’s got a physical advantage and does indeed play abroad – her Russian side even let her be selected. Yet she hasn’t been. I’m very happy to see Ji So-Yun on the list, entering after the Group Stage. Take notes, Bayer Leverkusen. It wasn’t like we were going to struggle with the India’s and UAE’s (Oh, wait… Guangzhou calling.)

(UAE knocked out Korea at the last Asian Games, held in Guangzhou… Just in case.) Anyhow.

U-20 Women’s World Cup Update
It was a nailbiter. Korea needed to win and some help to advance. Mexico had the bigger amount of chances in the first half, and Lee Geum-Min had the sole Korea chance, with a fluffed volley mere meters from the net. Emphasis on chance, as she turned the next chance into a goal, just seconds later, an epic redemption for the striker, putting Korea 1-0 up.

The Koreans came out of the gate (halftime) flying, and won a penalty. Lee So-Dam converted it, like she did against England several days ago, and put Korea firmly in the lead. It was a cagey affair, lots of turnovers, nerves, and crazy bounces. That’s how the Mexicans scored with 20 minutes (about) to go. A botched clearance, deflected off an unknowing Korean defender, and Tanya Samarzich hit the ball in the air – an instinct, nothing more – and yet, it looked like one of the most incredible goals of the tournament. She was thrilled – with Nigeria leading England 2-1, if Mexico drew level, Korea would be out and Mexico in.

But the equalizer never came. Korea had done it. With Nigeria finishing England off, the Koreans had gone from last to second on the final matchday in a tight group to qualify for the Quarter-Finals. They may celebrate now, but their next opponents could very well be their last. France have been stellar all tournament, conceding just 1 goal and scoring 12… granted, their group consisted of Paraguay, Costa Rica and New Zealand. Keep your eyes peeled for the Quarter-Final – it goes 7pm EDT at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal on the 17th of August. (I’m busy that day… ugh! And yet I’m a mere hour away from the Stadium…) In Korea that’s an 8am KST, 18th of August.

Random Rumors

I’ll just throw a couple random transfer rumours I heard over the week, one of which I believe is total bull and the other, well, less so.

I’ll just spit out the first one. Try not to laugh. According to a couple Korean sources, Celtic and Fulham are among the (few) clubs in negotiation to get the signature of… Jung Sung-Ryong.

I kid you not. Although I’m EXTREMELY skeptical. Of course if this move were to happen, it would vault Jung back on the scene as Korea’s potential number one for a few more years, help him develop at a European side and get valuable experience and maybe some playing time in a different, more challenging setting.

Maybe they won’t notice his numerous gaffes in the 2 World Cups he played… not to mention his slam dunk drop-the-ball-on-a-routine-chip-shot-and-then-slam-it-into-the-net fail in a K-League match. It pains me just to watch that again.

In the other rumour, Lee Keun-Ho is linked to a Qatari side after he finishes his service this September. I wouldn’t exactly be against the deal since he probably will end up making more money there, and he’s not got very many years left, has he? But it is alarming how many Koreans are heading to the desert. Han Kook-Young signed for Qatar SC not too long ago. Poor, poor choice. But that Oil Money can be tempting, no?

KPA Midweek Recap

I’ll make this brief. Ji Dong-Won didn’t make the squad for the Super Cup against Bayern Munich – but can still boast that he was there when his team won their first “trophy”, a 2-0 win at Signal Iduna Park.

Lee Chung-Yong came on as a sub and Kim Bo-Kyung came off in the 2nd half for their Capital One Cup encounters. Bolton took Bury into extra time but finished them off eventually, 3-2, while Cardiff City edged Coventry City, 2-1. No Koreans scored but both played relatively well.

Cardiff go on the road to Port Vale in the next Capital One Cup game, Bolton at Crewe Alexandra, while Ki Sung-Yueng’s Swansea enter the tournament and host Rotherham while Yun Suk-Young (QPR) might get some action against Burton Albion. Those games will be played later this month.

That’s all for now. Jalgayo!