South Korea manager Cho Kwang-rae will employ forward Ji Dong-won as a left winger along with regulars from the previous match for Tuesday's friendly against Ghana in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province.
Cho anticipates Ji will be able to fulfill his role in the only position the team lacked a suitable player in the 4-1-4-1 formation in Friday's 2-1 win over Serbia.
This will be the last opportunity for the nation’s elite footballers to play as one before the team’s World Cup regional qualifiers beginning on Sept. 2.
While South Korea has another friendly with Japan on Aug. 10, the manager decided not to call up his European league players in that game, as they have to prepare for the respective seasons.
Given this, the boss regards the Ghana match as crucial to test Ji’s adaptability along with other squad members.
"In the Ghana match, I will make the most out of Ji along with others whom I think are the best 11,'' Cho said.
Cho expects Ji to do his job based on the forward’s past experience in that position in previous international matches.
The 57-year-old manager will want Ji to support lone striker Park Chu-young along with right winger Lee Chung-yong, and also has a plan to switch Ji and Park Chu-young to enliven the team’s offense.
"The left winger should be able to play as a second striker," he said.
"Ji played in the position in January's Asian Cup, and he should be just fine.
"I also think Park Chu-young is capable of carrying out the role as a left winger,'' Cho added.
Ji hinted he will meet Cho's expectation, as the 20-year-old said ''I'm comfortable with the position and should not have much difficulty.''
Once the K-League's Chunnam Dragons forward fits into his role, Cho is likely to confirm the starters for the regional qualifiers ahead of football's biggest showcase in Brazil.
The three central midfielders-Sangju Sangmu Phoenix’s Kim Jung-woo and Suwon BlueWings’ Lee Yong-rae, both from the K-League, will pursue Cho’s fast play along with Celtic FC’s Ki Sung-yueng from the Scottish league.
Left fullback Kim Young-kwon, who passed a test for his role in the Serbia match, will stick at back with right fullback Cha Du-ri, and two central defenders-Lee Jung-soo and Hong Jeong-ho.
What Cho emphasizes from the starting members, however, is accuracy in passing which he thought the players lacked in Friday’s match.
''I asked my boys to pass the ball from the midfield quicker than usual in that match, and that led to inaccuracy,'' the manager said.
''I will make sure the players will not play for any loose balls against Ghana,'' he added.
The national team expects to continue its undefeated streak in its 11 games with seven wins and four draws from October, while Ghana also seeks to achieve the squad’s successful campaign with a 5-2-0 mark, that with a 3-0 over Swaziland in September.
Korea has a 1-0-2 head-to-head game result against its opponents.
South Korea will have another warmup with Ghana next Tuesday in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, before going into the regional qualifiers for the Brazil World Cup.
Source: koreatimes