Koreans Abroad: October 2-4 Recap

(photo via prensafutbol.cl)

By Korean Footballers Abroad

We have made it to the second international break and only a single WCQ of note at Kuwait on Thursday morning (US time).  On top of being away, KNT also has to deal with the injuries to Lee Chung Yong and Son Heung Min.  I expect a victory but a tighter one than one would normally expect.

We also have a friendly vs Jamaica.  I'm hoping to see our primary guys rested as they could almost all use the extra energy to regain starting spots and/or freshen up after some heavier loads due to two matches per week schedules.

Suk Hyun Jun -- Didn't get to watch this but Suk helped create a goal as his shot was scored on the rebound and Vitoria win.

Lee Chung Yong -- Out with injury.

Kim Jin Su -- An unused sub and with Hoffenheim's defense still leaking goals, perhaps KJS will get a look after international break.

Yun Suk Young -- Still out "injured".  With the international break, he still wasn't used with reserve side so unclear if injury is still there or if the three wildcards selected were higher on the rehab list.

Ki Sung Yueng -- A mixed performance from Ki as he returned to the deepest DM in 4-2-3-1.  He showed his great intelligence on both ends, but particularly in distributing the ball.  That said, he had some really bad mistakes in the second half that could have been more costly.  If he's going to drive forward as he does so well, he has to be less sloppy.

Son Heung Min -- Out with injury.

Hong Jeong Ho -- He came on as a sub when Baier went off with a broken hand.  No major errors from him which is a good sign and it was a good point vs a potent Leverkusen side.  He will need to take confidence from this performance and re-earn a starting spot after such a poor run of matches prior.

Ji Dong Won -- An unused sub.  I was surprised he was unused but Weinzierl's hands were a bit forced between Baier's injury and Augsburg's general need for defensive reinforcements as they started to totally give up the possession battle in the face of Leverkusen's attack.

Koo Ja Cheol -- Like Ki, a mixed bag from Koo.  His first touch I thought was particularly poor and he gave up a lot of possession cheaply simply due to a bad trap or first-touch pass.  On the other hand, he provided a lot of quality when he did control the ball well, helping Augsburg extend what little possession they did have.  And he created a number of good chances, though his best pass (a headed pass to Altintop who just missed) may have been a decent chance to shoot instead (as he was in good position with a bit of room).

Ryu Seung Woo -- Didn't make the squad.

Park Joo Ho -- A surprising sub despite Schmelzer being out with injury and didn't enter the match.  Perhaps PJH was too tired from midweek to start vs potent Bayern, and maybe not a horrible thing to avoid such a defensive trainwreck, but worrisome to see him unused in the situation (as LB backup) that he was signed for.