Much-maligned soccer star Ki Sung-yueng made it back to the national team on Monday ahead of South Korea’s two upcoming friendly matches.
Ki, a midfielder for Sunderland in the English Premier League, was among the 25 players named to the squad coached by Hong Myung-bo.
They will host Brazil on Oct. 12 at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Three days later, Mali will come to Cheonan, about 90 kilometers south of Seoul.
Despite having been a mainstay on the national team for the past three years, Ki has yet to play for Hong, who took over the national team in June.
Earlier this year, Ki faced heavy criticism for having made derisive Facebook comments aimed at Hong’s predecessor, Choi Kang-hee. Ki later issued an apology through his agency, but many disgruntled fans still questioned his sincerity.
Hong, upon taking the reins from Choi, said players’ conduct and character would also be considered when naming players to the national team, and refused to call up the versatile midfielder known for his vision and physical play.
Ki also had problems on the field in England early this season. He spent the early part of the English season on Swansea City’s bench, reportedly in the doghouse of the head coach Michael Laudrup.
Ki was shipped to Sunderland on a season-long loan in the same league last month and has since been getting more minutes. Ki’s steady progress from his earlier exile appears to have earned him a spot on Hong’s team.
“I had a heart-to-heart with Ki, and (the Facebook controversy) was the very first thing we talked about,” Hong said. “I felt he was deeply repentant about the incident. He’s also been improving on the field. I think the only thing left for him to do is to play hard before the fans and prove his worth again.”
Hong also rejected suggestions that Ki’s presence may disrupt the national team’s chemistry. If anything, Hong said, Ki will help South Korea shore up its midfield.
“We’ve obviously had some problems in midfield in recent games,” Hong admitted. “Ki has been away from the national team for a while, but I think he will play as hard as anyone to make up for his mistakes.”
One name made conspicuous by his absence was Arsenal forward Park Chu-young.
Hong has maintained that he will not select those who aren’t playing regularly on their respective clubs. (Yonhap News)
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