‘World Cup roster close to completion’

With the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil merely months away, Hong Myung-bo, the head coach of the South Korean men’s national football team, said he has almost completed his lineup for the quadrennial tournament.

In a joint interview with local media on Monday, Hong said “about 80 percent” of his roster has been determined for the sport’s grandest event set to kick off in June.

He added he plans to fill the remaining 20 percent during the team’s winter training in January, in Brazil and then in the United States, and said he will have a clearer idea when domestic and foreign leagues begin new seasons in March, and South Korea plays more friendlies in the spring.

“We have a lot of young and talented players, but they lack international experience,” Hong told reporters at the headquarters of the Korea Football Association in Seoul. “My job is to try to address that in the coming months. Our core players are aged 22 to 25, and we will need older players for the World Cup to give our team some balance.”

South Korea will be playing in its eighth consecutive World Cup and its ninth overall. The country has drawn Belgium, Russia and Algeria in Group H.

South Korea avoided more traditional football powers such as Brazil, Spain and Germany, and many believe the country should be able to reach the knockout stage as one of the top two seeds in the group.

As he did immediately after the draw in December, Hong on Monday expressed guarded optimism about his team’s prospects. “It is not that bad of a draw for us, but we have to remember that there’s never an easy opponent,” Hong said. “My responsibility is to make sure the players don’t loosen up and think we have this one in the bag.”

Hong also refused to look too far down the road beyond the opening round.

“First and foremost, the goal is to make it out of the group stage,” Hong said. “Once you survive that, then you just never know what could happen. The focus of our preparation should be on trying to get to the next round.”

South Korea will play Russia first, followed by Algeria and Belgium. Russia defeated South Korea 2-1 in their most recent meeting, a November friendly match in Dubai.

Hong stressed the importance of the first match, saying a victory in the opener should set the tone for the rest of the way.

Hong represented South Korea as a player in four World Cups and captained the team that reached the semifinals at the 2002 tournament, which South Korea co-hosted with Japan. He served as an assistant on the 2006 World Cup team, with the Dutchman Dick Advocaat at the helm.

Hong said it was “a great honor” to have another opportunity to be in the World Cup.

“Now as the head coach, I feel a heavier burden of responsibility than I did as a player,” Hong said. “To me, the most important thing now is to take my time and prepare for the tournament the best I can.”

South Korea will open its first training camp of the new year later this month in Brazil, and then will play three friendlies ― against Costa Rica, Mexico and the U.S. ― from late January to early February in Texas and California. Hong said the doors are open for players on the bubble to make an impression during that time.

“Our roster spots are always open for talented players,” the coach said. “This training camp will motivate players and set up some friendly competitions within the team.”

Hong said he asked the KFA to schedule more friendly matches in March and May. He said he hopes to travel to Europe for away matches in March and would like to face opponents similar to Belgium, Algeria and Russia.

Hong said he will count on the team’s new assistant from the Netherlands, Ton du Chatinier, to help with advanced scouting on Russia. The retired defender once served as an assistant to Guus Hiddink, who coached South Korea to the final four at the 2002 World Cup, on the Russian club FC Anzhi Makhachkala.

With most of the Russian national team players coming from their domestic league, du Chatinier should be able to offer valuable information to South Korea, Hong said.

Du Chatinier is scheduled to join South Korea at the January training camp, Hong added.

Hong said the 2010 World Cup team, which reached the round of 16 in South Africa, had more balance and experience than the current group of players, but added that his group today may have “more raw talent and potential” than earlier teams.

Hong said he is fully aware of high expectations that have followed the national team in every World Cup since 2002, when South Korea made an improbable run to the semifinals. He said he will embrace the challenge of trying to meet lofty standards.

“I know fans will always ask the question, ‘Why can’t we play like we did in 2002?’” Hong said. “Obviously, we have to put up a good result, but I believe our buildup to the World Cup is also significant. We have to do the best we can and have no regrets so that we can give our fans a great gift this year.”

(Yonhap News)