Koreans Abroad Weekend Recap and Europa Preview

(image via @FCA_World)

By @KoreaFootAbroad

So though there's one more match between here and the weekend, just giving a heads up that I'm on vacation for next two weekends.  I'll do my best to update this blog when I can but I won't be watching live and maybe not even on delay until I get back.

Also Yun Suk Young has started and played 90 for two matches in a row for Charlton Athletic.  He first played as a left FB, and played this past weekend as left WB.  Since Championship is rarely on TV and I don't really have much to add outside of basic statistics, I'm not adding him back just yet until he gets a bit longer of a run of games in.

Thursday March 10th

Dortmund vs Tottenham -- 1PM on Fox Sports 2

Son Heung Min -- Came on as a late sub but couldn't help Tottenham avoid huge disappointment in drawing to a 10 man Arsenal.  The fact that he didn't start wasn't a huge surprise but Alli was hurt according to Pochettino, so a sign that Son has a ways to go before winning big match starts again.  But he should get a chance to do so this Thursday.  He's had plenty of success vs Dortmund before, so hopefully he can get his groove back midweek.

Park Joo Ho -- Still no squad time for him so don't expect him Thursday with Durm and Schmelzer both healthy and doing well (Durm being particularly praised this past weekend).

Other Recaps

Koo Ja Cheol -- The hero for the weekend, as Koo Ja Cheol scored a hat-trick and provided his usual work rate to boot.  Two of the first goals were tricky finishes of rebounds in traffic, and the third also a nicely taken finish off a Finnbogason knockdown.  Koo benefited from playing in more advanced "10" role as Baier returned as well as his particular knack for being able to score off loose balls in the box.  Yet it all came to a disappointing end as Augsburg somehow let Leverkusen come back and level the game in the final seconds.  Two critical points lost and now Augsburg is being dragged back into relegation battle.

Hong Jeong Ho -- He was a surprise start and wasn't 100% as he lacked a lot of pace and movement.  That said, he had some really nice plays in dangerous situations to break up the attack.  When he was pulled at HT with a yellow, and potential re-aggravation of his injury (he wasn't in training shot I saw this morning), Augsburg's defense imploded.  With one of the remaining CHs getting a red card for hand ball in the closing seconds, HJH is needed right now but it remains to be seen if he's healthy enough to play this weekend.

Ji Dong Won -- A scratch as he came up lame last week and the timeline puts him at risk for this weekend too.

Kim Jin Su -- With Ochs hurt, KJS got a spot on the bench.  Disappointing for him not to get a look, and even more so when Hoffenheim melted down just as in the Gisdol days and let in five goals.  He was out of Tuesday's training with a cold and with Ochs returning to individual training, remains to be seen if he'll get a chance or will have to wait for Ochs to mess up too.

Ki Sung Yueng -- His turned ankle from midweek wasn't able to go so Ki was rested.  A big win for Swansea despite so-so play so at least Swansea has got a strong push further away from relegation zone.  Hopefully he gets fit and is able to find his game over final few matches of the season.

Suk Hyun Jun -- He started brightly (reportedly as I missed most of first half) but had trouble staying onside.  He was running hard until he was taken off with 30 minutes or so left but the team really struggled in midfield and defense and gave up two goals in remaining time.

Lee Chung Yong -- Was an unused sub as Crystal Palace found a way to lose despite the lead vs 10 man Liverpool.  Maybe he'll get a chance at FA Cup given CPFC's increasingly perilous position in the table but still looks unlikely to me.