Reuters - Coach Pim Verbeek included South
Korea's three Premiership representatives in his 25-man squad for Saturday's
Asian Cup qualifier against Iran in Seoul, but there was no place for
striker Ahn Jung-hwan.
Lee Young-pyo of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United's Park Ji-sung and
Reading new-boy Seol Ki-hyeon will form the backbone of the side, while
veteran campaigners Kim Nam-il and Lee Eul-yong were also called up.
Dutchman Verbeek, who took over from compatriot Dick Advocaat after South
Korea's first-round World Cup exit, excluded Ahn and promising youngster
Park Chu-young, who has suffered a dip in form.
'Ahn has had insufficient exercise as he has been seeking a new contract
with a European club, while Park has yet to overcome his slump,' Verbeek
said.
Ahn, who scored the opener in South Korea's 3-0 win over Taiwan this month,
is looking for a move away from German second division side MSV Duisburg.
Cha Du-ri of Germany's FSV Mainz 05 was named but has more chance of playing
against Taiwan on Sept. 6 than against Iran.
The Korea Football Association said Mainz had sent a letter asking for Cha
to miss the game after picking up a slight groin injury.