KPA Weekend Listings, October 18th-19th 2014

For some Korean Players Abroad, they are returning to their clubs with an Asian Games gold and a military exemption around their necks. For others, it’s after a partially successful international break. And some are struggling to get playing time. Here’s a short and sweet Weekend Listings.

A big thanks to Skimmilk for letting us copy the KPA table – you can check out his blog here.

Kim Bo-Kyung’s predicament will probably continue, despite a managerial change in South Wales. Russell Slade is taking the reins, but I find it very unlikely that he turns to Kim Bo-Kyung. The staff is still there, and one of the coaches, Danny Gabbidon I believe, has been rather critical of Kimbo.

Hong Jeong-Ho doesn’t seem to be doing well at Augsburg either, and is struggling to get playing time. I think he had a fitness problem at the start of the year as well, so Hong is still struggling to find a spot on the starting XI. Likely bench.

Son Heung-Min, if fit after international break, will probably start away at Stuttgart. Leverkusen have 12 points and are in fourth place. If he’s not fit enough, he’ll definitely get the call for the Champions League tie vs Zenit.

Ji Dong-Won is a maybe again this weekend. He’s not expected to start, but a bench spot is not out of the question. He has yet to make his first team debut for BVB – he played another 90 minutes with the reserves squad during the international break.

Koo Ja-Cheol seems to be (finally) fit, and will probably get a shout. Whether or not he starts remains to be seen. Park Joo-Ho had some ankle issues in the second international friendly vs Costa Rica and might be out for a few weeks. We’re awaiting word on his scan. One report said he would miss hardly any time, while another said he might be out for 6 weeks, give or take. Hopefully the former. We’ll have to wait and see.

Bolton has a new manager as well, with former Celtic boss Neil Lennon taking charge. There’s no real indication if Lee Chung-Yong will fit in Lennon’s system. He’s also had a lot of starts this season plus 135 minutes over the international break so perhaps he gets rested. He’s an important player to the Bolton side generally, but your guess is as good as mine with a brand new “gaffer”.

Yun Suk-Young, status quo, meaning no news expected.

Kim Jin-Su also returns with military exemption, away at Hamburg. If I had to guess, I’d probably think he gets a spot on the bench. By the way, Kim Jin-Su’s agent deserves a pat on the back for adding in the Asian Games release clause. Son Heung-Min’s agent should have taken notes.

Ki Sung-Yueng is probably a lock for a start against Stoke. He’s really been doing a fine job in my opinion this year, really fitting well in Garry Monk’s system.

Short and sweet. I’ll have the K-League Listings up tomorrow morning out in North America, that’s Friday evening for you back in the motherland.

What Korean Player Abroad will you watch this weekend?