CHU-YOUNG LEFT OUT

The South Korean national football team will not be featuring Arsenal striker Park Chu-Young for the next three matches against Spain, Lebanon, and Qatar.

The striker has been left in limbo over the military service issue, which continues to rumble on. The 26 man for the South Korean national football team that will face the aforementioned three national teams was announced recently with the biggest omission come in the form of Arsenal striker Park Chu-Young. It was initially thought that he would play a major role in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, but it now seems unlikely that he will be taking part in it.

South Koreans are expected to serve the military irrespective of their position, but Arsenal striker Park Chu-Young decided to get a 10 year residency visa at Monaco, which will now not require him the need to serve the military. The 26-year-old was not seen anywhere near the announcement area and his current status is unknown.

Choi Kang-Hee has said that focus should be not on the players who will not be involved in the matches, but on those who will be playing against Spain and Lebanon. He also said that a number of European based players will be participating in the qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
"I think he should publicise his thoughts clearly. A national team must take into account not only an individual player's capability but the atmosphere of the whole team.

What is important is whether a player is willing to sacrifice for the team and whether he has pride in his team," said Choi Kang-Hee after the announcement of the 26 man squad that did not feature the Arsenal striker. Celtic's Ki Sung-Yueng is one of the big names being included in the squad that will take on Spain in the first of the three friendlies.