Weekend Taeguk Warriors in Europe TV & online Oct 20-21

Weekend South Korean Taeguk Warriors footballing’ in Europe; TV & online Oct 20-21

All listings are for US  Eastern Standard Time  (apologies for non-US Tavern goers)

SATURDAY

Germany, Fortuna Duesseldorf vs. Bayern Munich 9:30 a.m. GolTV.  Cha Du-Ri had a productive international break, scoring 4 goals in a test match last week – an experimental shifting of roles as a forward. Are we going to witness a rebirth of forward Cha Du-Ri today?!

England, Swansea vs. Wigan 10 a.m. foxsoccer2go.com (tape at 4 on Fox Soccer Plus) Ki Sung-Yeung may get the start, unless he is deemed too jetlagged/tired from the World Cup Qualifier against Iran last Tuesday. While he did get the start for the Taeguk Warriors last Tuesday, he was reportedly playing with a very minor calf injury. Not sure if this will be a factor in whether or not Ki gets playing time.

England (N-Power Championship), Nottingham vs. Cardiff City 10 a.m. No Tv  Kim Bo-Kyung might not get the start, but boss Malkay has not hesitated to send Kim consistent minutes off the bench in all the last several matches for the Bluebirds. UPDATE: in an article published in Friday’s Wales Online, Malkay hinted Kim still needs some time to adjust, but “I have no doubts about Kim. He is part of our squad and I will bleed him in gently when I see fit.” He also indicated he is a bit bruised from last Tuesday’s bout with Iran: he apparently got a tooth knocked out from the game. Check out the Q&A with Malkay to interpret for yourself when he might start Kimbo – the article is here.

England (N-Power Championship), Bolton vs. Bristol City 10 a.m. No Tv  Lee Chung-Yong is coming back to a club in turmoil, having ejected Owen Coyle and looking for a new manager.  Will the interim managers think differently and give Lee some significant minutes to help turn their fortunes around?

* Spain, Real Madrid vs. Celta noon beIN Sport Spanish (tape at 9:30 on beIN Sport) This seems to be the game of the week to tune into, as Park Chu-Young awaits a decision by Paca Herrera to see if he can start against Real Madrid. Park didn’t factor in last Tuesday’s WCQ against Iran (but to his defense, the long ball lack-of-strategy and odd pairing with Kim Shin-Wook may have more culpability).  If Park does get the start, perhaps we are going to be treated to witnessing Park Chu-Young scoring and finally getting some love from the European football media establishment.  Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho must be tearing out his hair with the all injuries on his side piling up. 3 injured fullbacks, Alvaro Arbeloa, Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao all out, Benzema, Khadira, Coentrao out. Ramos may have to play out of position at left back and Mourinho may need to promote some reserve players. Still, it’s Real Madrid and Celta Vigo will be going into the belly of the Bernabeu for a hot time in Madrid.

SUNDAY

England, Sunderland vs. Newcastle 8:30 a.m. Fox Soccer, Fox Deportes  Ji Dong-Won has been playing some reserve matches, but has yet to see any time on pitch for the Blackcats.

Germany, Nuremberg vs. Augsburg 9:30 a.m. GolTV. Koo Ja-Cheol is still listed as injured -but the good news is that he’s finally back to training with the team, according to the Augsburger Allgemeine. His return couldn’t come sooner as Augsburg is fighting for their lives to avoid relegation. He might come back for a game against Hamburg pending outcome of his ankle tendon recovery. If that happens, it’ll be Koo vs. Son time. These are the matches I truly dread…

England, QPR vs. Everton 10:30 a.m. Fox Soccer, Fox Deportes Park Ji-Sung and QPR is in deep, deep trouble. They’re dead last in the EPL and desperate for 3 points to start getting out of the basement.

Germany, Hamburg vs. Stuttgart 11:30 a.m. GolTV Son Heung-Min entered the international break as the highest Asian goalscorer in the Bundesliga. With Rafael Van der Vaart out with injuries, will Hamburg be able to find ways to continue their ascendancy in the Bundesliga table?  Word of Rafael’s non-game status has been greatly exaggerated. He’s in the starting lineup. Speedy recovery…or psychological psych out strategy by Hamburg? You decide…

MLS, Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Portland Timbers 7 p.m. Omni (Canada), ROOT (Portland), Direct Kick, MLS Live Lee Young-Pyo has been a significant force in turning around Vancouver from last years terrible record. This season they are now occupying the 5th and last playoff spot in the MLS Western Conference. 2 games left in the season, and they need to finish the season strong to be ‘in the game’.  And yes – Vancouver is not Europe. But it is Canada, so close enough…

 

So many games to watch…so little time to spend with family. What’s a Tavern owner to do?   While I could gain massive bro points for concocting furtive plans to ditch the fam and get away to a weekend of depravity and total football/soccer zonage, I…just can’t bring myself to do it.  Thank the Budda there’s DVR technology.

About Roy Ghim 454 Articles
The old Tavern Owner

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