Source: Korea Times

by Kang Seung-woo

Forwards Lee Dong-gook and Son Heung-min made headlines for different reasons Wednesday as the latest Korea squad was announced. Lee, a 15-year veteran, was left off the 23-man roster for the first time since his former club manager took command of the national team, while Son rejoins Choi Kang-hee’s side after a long absence.

The 27th-ranked Korea, leaders of Group A on seven points in the final Asian qualification round for the 2014 Brazil World Cup, will face Middle East powerhouse Iran, sitting 54th in the FIFA rankings, in Tehran on Oct. 17 (KST). Iran is tied with Qatar in second on four points.

The 33-year-old Lee, playing for Jeonbuk Motors, has been a lock under Choi, playing in all seven internationals and scoring four goals since December.

However, his sluggish performance against Uzbekistan earlier this month cost him his spot, Choi said.

“On our way back from Uzbekistan, I had already made up my mind that I would leave out Lee Dong-gook and defender Lee Jung-soo — another veteran — for the next match,” Choi said at a press conference.

“Since the summer, Lee has shown signs of stamina issues in the K-League and I thought he should have picked himself up for the Uzbekistan match.”

In the K-League, Lee has managed just two goals since August, compared to 13 in the early part of the season.

The 53-year-old coach added that he has decided to reshuffle his attack, given that players in overseas leagues are playing well with Son taking center stage.

The 20-year-old Hamburg forward has been on an upswing in Germany’s top flight, netting three goals this season including a double against Borussia Dortmund last weekend. Son last played for the Taeguk Warriors in the Lebanon qualifier in June.

“Son has such great potential, whether it is his shooting, his penetration or his agility,” Choi said. “I think he has had problems playing off his teammates but I think we can capitalize on his strengths.”

With Lee dropped, Celta Vigo’s Park Chu-young, who scored his debut goal in the Spanish league last weekend, will be the focal point up front. Lee Chung-yong of Bolton Wonderers, Ki Sung-yueng of Swansea City, Kim Bo-kyung of Cardiff City and Nam Tae-hee of Qatar’s Lekhwiya will patrol the midfield.

With Qatari side Al-Sadd’s Lee Jung-soo omitted, defenders Kim Young-gwon, Park Won-jae and Shin Kwang-hoon have been called up for the first time and one of them could be given the nod to complete the back four with Kwak Tae-hwi, Hwang Seok-ho and Jung In-whan.

After the Iran game, Korea will resume its qualifying campaign in March next year, hosting Qatar.

The top two from each group will advance to the World Cup finals in Brazil, with the two third-placed teams entering a playoff for a chance to qualify through a two-leg intercontinental tie with the fifth-placed country from South America.