Koreans in Europe Roundup

Tavern owner just getting back to the US from a wedding in Mexico [Hola Amigos y Amigas]. Jae posted the K-League roundup earlier and now contributor Tim Lee has the roundup for you of action in Europe [+ Ji So-Yun update at Chelsea Ladies]. Tim, take it from here…
Still waiting on Ki and Sunderland as they go to White Heart Lane to face Tottenham, but here’s some highs and lows for KPA’s this week:
Firstly, Son took on Hamburger SV, his old club. Remember how he scored a hat-trick against them earlier this season? It was wishful thinking though that we’d see anything as spectacular as Leverkusen continued their woeful form with a 2-1 reverse to the relegation-positioned club. With that Leverkusen slides down to 5th place and out of the Champions League spots and that was enough to get Sami Hyypia the hook. The man that brought Son to Leverkusen now finds himself out of a job and the youth team coach Lewandowski will take over for the rest of the season.  New manager speculation begins now. It was a simply pathetic display from the midfield and nothing seemed to be working for B04. Son played the full 90 while Ryu came on as a sub and had a few encouraging moments.
Meanwhile we head over to Augsburg where it was a historic win for Hong Jeong Ho (Ji was out injured (?)) and company as they slayed Bayern Munich, handing them their first loss of the season! Although it was admittedly a second tier team selection for Bayern, with two eyes on the return leg of the Champions League QF vs Manchester United, the Bavarians would have expected a victory. Hong was crucial in shutting down the attacking prowess of the Bundesliga champs, and this will help Augsburg perhaps make a push for European competition next season. Hong played 76 minutes, Augsburg wins with a clean sheet, 1-0.  Ji not in 18.
Keeping on the positive side, Lee Chung Yong assisted a dramatic 90th goal to give Bolton a 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town. Chungy as he is affectionately known at the Reebok Stadium almost scored earlier:

Off the post from Chungy! Great ball from Hutton on the right flank with the Korean’s effort smashing against the upright! (15) 0-0 #HUDvBOL

— Bolton Wanderers FC (@OfficialBWFC) April 5, 2014

But then he took a 90th minute corner that Joe Mason smashed home. Watch the match highlights:
Other than that, there wasn’t much else that stood out, here’s a quick summary of the other action:
  • Park Ji Sung was subbed off at the half in a 3-0 reverse to Heerenveen. PSV are now 7 points out of the Champions League.
  • Yun Suk-Young warmed the bench in a 2-1 loss to AFC Bournemouth. QPR sit in third and they’ll probably be in the promotion playoffs. Stay tuned then.
  • Mainz fell 2-0 to Frankfurt. Koo nor Park Joo Ho did much in that encounter. Mainz is 4 points out of the Champions League.
  • Kimbo did not make the squad for another defeat for Cardiff –they find themselves 6 points away from safety with just 5 matches left.
  • Watford drew 1-1 and Park Ju Young did not feature with a toe injury – and he’s returned home. The injury will take him out for 3 weeks. F&@#!!
  • And why not, Ji So Yun scored two goals in a pre-season friendly for Chelsea Ladies at Villa. Their season starts next week.

    Great 3-0 win v Villa to end preseason!! 2 goals from my fav S.Korean @jsy0341 and @Yuki_Ogimi! #Chelsea

    — Eniola Aluko (@EniAlu) April 6, 2014

Tim Lee: Tavern Contributor

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3 Comments

  1. Didnt see the match but man are those Sunderland fans pissed at Ki.

    Hopefully it wasn’t as bad as some are writing and he’s just being used a scapegoat, but Id consider Tottenham a big occasion.

    • Man I totally agree. I’ve seen the forums. However, I watched the last 35 minutes of the match but Ki wasn’t particularly bad. It’s just that his teammates weren’t passing to him the ball that much and Tottenham marked Ki pretty tight. When Ki did get the ball he made great long passes down toward the wing or a backpass to retain possession. It’s just that his teammates kept losing the ball.

      • Didn’t get to see the match but as far as I’m concerned, no Ki means that Poyet would have had to do lots of searching to find the winning formula. No offence. but you know the sort of British fans sometimes – player is playing well, is lauded as the “key” (Ki, key, yeah, that one’s getting old) to success, and not playing well – the problem to everything.

        But I’m not sure if Sunderland can get out of the bottom and Cardiff won’t, and there’s the whole Yun/Chungy question about if they should stay in the Championship, and what’s going to happen to PJY. It will hinge a fair bit on the WC. Interesting summer this should be for transfer talk, as we’re approaching the end of a chapter and the writing of a new one.

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