DOHA: South Korea attempt to land its first Asian Cup in 51 years this month but its hopes have been hit hard by the withdrawal of key striker Park Chu-young. The 2002 World Cup semifinalist is one of the pre-tournament favorites but start its Group C matches against Australia, Bahrain and India without a man who has scored more goals than anyone else in the squad. Park, who played up front as the sole striker during last year's World Cup, hurt his knee while celebrating an injury-time winner for his French club Monaco against FC Sochaux on Dec. 23. Doctors have ruled him out for up to four weeks with cartilage damage, with coach Cho Kwang-Rae drafting in Hong Jung-ho, a defender, as a replacement. It is a major blow but Cho is confident his team can still perform. “I have faith in our players' capabilities,” he told reporters. “We can't keep worrying about Park Chu-young's injury. Football is not an individual sport, and if each of the 23 players can come together, we can overcome this problem.” Without him, South Korea's front line features Ji Dong-won, Kim Shin-wook, and Yoo Byung-soo. But Cho, who took over from Huh Jung-moo after the South Africa World Cup, also has Celtic duo Cha Du-ri and Ki Sung-yeung at his disposal. They both scored in their final match before jetting out to Qatar when the Scottish giants beat St. Johnstone 2-0. He also has hugely influential captain, Manchester United's Park Ji-sung, on board after Alex Ferguson agreed to release the midfielder for international duty. Park missed the last tournament four years ago with injury and has suggested the 2011 showpiece could be his international swansong. “Playing for the national team is an honour, but I am also very happy to play for United, so missing several games is disappointing,” said the in-form Park, who has scored six goals this season. Park, who has had to balance his commitments with European club sides and at international level for eight years, also attempted to play down Park Chu-young's absence. The team is keen to build on its fine World Cup performance when it reached the last 16, and Cho has made clear he considers the Asian Cup a major prize that eluded them for too long. “Before we were concentrating on the World Cup and did not take the Asian Cup seriously enough,” he said. “But this time it is different. I told the players how important the Asian Cup is and they will be mentally prepared for the challenge.” – Agence France
