South Korea has tasked red-hot striker Suk Hyun-jun with carrying the offense against Laos in Thursday's World Cup qualifier at home.
Suk, a 24-year-old forward making his first international appearance in five years, will start as the featured striker, as the 57th-ranked South Korea take on the No. 174 Laos at Hwaseong Sports Complex Main Stadium in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.
Suk, who plays for Vitoria de Setubal in Portugal, has scored three goals in his last two club matches. He is looking for his first international goal.
On the wings will be Son Heung-min, who recently left Bayer Leverkusen for Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace veteran Lee Chung-yong.
In an aggressive formation, head coach Uli Stielike will place two versatile midfielders on the attack, with Ki Sung-yueng of Swansea City and Kwon Chang-hoon of Suwon Samsung Bluewings backing up the two wingers. Ki is the captain.
Jung Woo-young of Vissel Kobe will be the lone defensive midfielder.
Former World Cup tandem, Kim Young-gwon of Guangzhou Evergrande and Hong Jeong-ho of FC Augsburg, are back as the centerbacks for just the second time on Stielike's watch. They will be flanked by Suwon's Hong Chul and Guangzhou R&F's Jang Hyun-soo.
Kwoun Sun-tae, star goalkeeper for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, will make his international debut in net. (Yonhap)
