Football governing body to hold technical meeting on World Cup squad

By Lim Chang-won Posted : September 20, 2017, 15:11 Updated : September 20, 2017, 15:54

[Yonhap News Photo]


South Korea's football governing body will hold a technical committee meeting this month amid widespread calls from fans that Dutchman Guus Hiddink should be invited for the national football team.

Kim Ho-gon, head of the Korea Football Association (KFA) technical committee, told reporters that he is thinking about a committee meeting this month. His brief comment sparked speculation that the committee would discuss Hiddink's possible contribution to South Korean football.

Hiddink, who led South Korea to the 2002 World Cup semifinals, has voiced his desire to play an advisory or another role for South Korea's World Cup squad only if he receives an official KFA request.

"As of now, it will be difficult to serve as a national team coach. I think more of an advisory role," the 70-year-old told South Korean reporters last week in Amsterdam.

South Korea, led by Shin Tae-yong, clinched a spot at next year's World Cup. Shin coached the final two matches in Asia's final qualifying round after taking over the helm from Uli Stielike sacked for poor performances.

In a recent survey of 505 adults, Realmeter, a Seoul-based pollster, found that 70.2 percent supported Hiddink as a coach or a technical advisor for the South Korean team. Some 26.6 percent wanted Shin as head coach and Hiddink as technical advisor. About 22 percent supported Hiddink as sole head coach.

 
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