South Korea coach names squad for opening World Cup qualifier

South Korea coach Cho Kwang-rae is taking no chances for the country's opening World Cup qualifier against Lebanon on September 2.

Cho has called up six Europe-based players though is without Bolton winger Lee Chung-yong (broken leg) and Wolfsburg midfielder Koo Ja-cheol (torn ankle ligaments).

After the 3-0 defeat in Japan on August 10, Cho has summoned young forwards Ji Dong-won of Sunderland and Hamburg's Son Heung-min, both of whom missed the game in Sapporo.

"If we get all our usual defenders back in the fold, I don't think we need to worry too much about the defence," Cho said.

"We have a little more time to work together (than before the Japanese game), and we should be able to replicate the defensive cohesion from earlier."

South Korea squad: GOALKEEPERS: Kim Young-kwang (Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Jin-hyun (Cerezo Osaka, Japan), Jung Sung-ryong (Suwon Bluewings)

DEFENDERS: Kim Young-kwon (Omiya Ardija, Japan), Lee Jae-seong (Ulsan Hyundai), Lee Jung-soo (Al Sadd, Qatar), Cho Young-cheol (Albirex Niigata, Japan), Cha Du-ri (Celtic, Scotland), Hong Jeong-ho (Jeju United), Chul Hong (Seongnam Ilhwa)

MIDFIELDERS: Ki Sung-yueng (Celtic, Scotland), Kim Bo-kyung (Cerezo Osaka, Japan), Kim Jae-sung (Pohang Steelers), Kim Jung-woo (Sangju Sangmu), Nam Tae-hee (Valenciennes, France), Park Hyun-beom (Suwon Bluewings), Yeom Ki-hun (Suwon Bluewings), Lee Yong-rae (Suwon Bluewings), Yoon Bit-garam (Gyeongnam FC), Lee Keun-ho (Gamba Osaka, Japan)

FORWARDS: Park Chu-young (AS Monaco, France), Ji Dong-won (Sunderland, England), Son Heung-min (Hamburg, Germany), Jung Jo-gook (Auxerre, France)

 
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