On-loan Arsenal striker Park Chu-Young got the nod for South Korea’s World Cup campaign when he was included in a youthful squad for the tournament in Brazil on Thursday.
Park, currently at Watford and back in favour after a row over his national service, was among nine Europe-based players included in coach Hong Myung-Bo’s final, 23-man line-up.
The 28-year-old is one of just five survivors from South Korea’s run to the last 16 in 2010, and Kwak Tae-Hwi, 32, is the only player aged over 30.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Son Heung-Min and Koo Ja-Cheol of Mainz will join Park in attack, while Sunderland’s Ki Sung-Yueng, Cardiff’s Kim Bo-Kyung and Bolton’s Lee Chung-Yong were also picked.
Only six domestic-based players made the cut, including Ulsan Hyundai forward Kim Shin-Wook, the reigning K-League Classic MVP, and 2012 Asian player of the year Lee Keun-Ho.
“It’s a young team but our players don’t lack in experience,” said Hong. “They all play in competitive leagues. This may not be Korea’s greatest World Cup squad ever assembled but I can assure you we will work hard to be one.”
Park, with 24 goals in 62 matches, now has his chance to play against Algeria, Belgium and Russia in Group H – a prospect which seemed remote during his spell on the Arsenal bench.
But Park, after loan periods at Celta Vigo and now Watford, played his way into contention by scoring the winner against Greece in a friendly in March.
In 2012, Park had to make a public apology after he deferred his compulsory military service by obtaining a 10-year Monaco residency visa.
Ki, who is on loan at Sunderland from Swansea City, is likely to be reunited with Guangzhou R&F’s Park Jong-Woo, his midfield partner when South Korea won Olympic bronze in 2012.
Guangzhou Evergrande’s Kim Young-Gwon and FC Augsburg’s Hong Jeong-Ho will be South Korea’s centre-half pairing, in front of 2010 ‘keeper Jung Sung-Ryong.
Mainz fullback Park Joo-Ho, who is out of action with a foot injury, was the only notable snub.
Goalkeepers: Jung Sung-Ryong (Suwon Bluewings), Kim Seung-Gyu (Ulsan Hyundai), Lee Bum-Young (Busan IPark)
Defenders: Hong Jeong-Ho (Augsburg), Hwang Seok-Ho (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Kim Chang-Soo (Kashiwa Reysol), Kim Jin-Soo (Albirex Niigata), Kim Young-Gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande), Kwak Tae-Hwi (Al Hilal), Lee Yong (Ulsan Hyundai), Yun Suk-Young (Queens Park Rangers)
Midfielders: Ha Dae-Sung (Beijing Guoan), Han Kook-Young (Kashiwa Reysol), Ji Dong-Won (FC Augsburg), Ki Sung-Yueng (Sunderland), Kim Bo-Kyung (Cardiff City), Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton Wanderers), Park Jong-Woo (Guangzhou R&F), Son Heung-Min (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Kim Shin-Wook (Ulsan Hyundai), Koo Ja-Cheol (Mainz), Lee Keun-Ho (Sangju Sangmu), Park Chu-Young (Watford)
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Match info
Uefa Champions League Group F
Manchester City v Hoffenheim, midnight (Wednesday, UAE)
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BeIN Sports currently has the rights to show
- Champions League
- English Premier League
- Spanish Primera Liga
- Italian, French and Scottish leagues
- Wimbledon and other tennis majors
- Formula One
- Rugby Union - Six Nations and European Cups
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Cologne v Union Berlin (5.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Hertha Berlin v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Freiburg (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Borussia Monchengladbach (8.30pm)
Sunday
Mainz v Augsburg (5.30pm)
Schalke v Bayer Leverkusen (8pm)
Remaining fixtures
- August 29 – UAE v Saudi Arabia, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
- September 5 – Iraq v UAE, Amman, Jordan (venue TBC)
Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Empty Words
By Mario Levrero
(Coffee House Press)
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Uefa Nations League: How it works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
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The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
THE BIO:
Sabri Razouk, 74
Athlete and fitness trainer
Married, father of six
Favourite exercise: Bench press
Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn
Power drink: A glass of yoghurt
Role model: Any good man
The biog
Name: Samar Frost
Born: Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: Singing, music and socialising with friends
Favourite singer: Adele