Korean national coach Pim Verbeek has won his battle with the K-League professional clubs to postpone matches this weekend so players can attend an Asian Cup training camp. In a compromise, the league games were rescheduled to 14 October and the Korean Football Association cancelled a national friendly scheduled for 13 October. "Under football regulations, players must report to the national team two weeks before an international tournament, which would be 23 June in this case," K-League secretary general Kim Won-Dong finally acknowledged.
South Korea, which made the World Cup semi-finals in 2002, have not won the Asian Cup since 1960 and are desperate to lift the trophy. "An impressive performance in the Asian Cup will do a lot of good for the game of football in this country, so the clubs have decided to grant Verbeek's wish and will have its players report to the national team by 9 am on 23 June," Kim confirmed.
South Korea, which made the World Cup semi-finals in 2002, have not won the Asian Cup since 1960 and are desperate to lift the trophy. "An impressive performance in the Asian Cup will do a lot of good for the game of football in this country, so the clubs have decided to grant Verbeek's wish and will have its players report to the national team by 9 am on 23 June," Kim confirmed.