Sunday, February 28, 2016

Weekend Recap Feb 29th and Midweek Preview / Schedule Mar 1st

"English Week" and cups mean everyone has a match midweek.  Some injury questions about Koo who pulled up lame on the weekend though.


DayTime (ET)PlayerClubOpponentTV
Tuesday2:45 PMLee Chung YongCrystal Palace@SunderlandNBC Extra Time
Wednesday2:00 PMHong Jeong HoAugsburg@HoffenheimFox Soccer 2 Go
Wednesday2:00 PMJi Dong WonAugsburg@HoffenheimFox Soccer 2 Go
Wednesday2:00 PMKoo Ja CheolAugsburg@HoffenheimFox Soccer 2 Go
Wednesday2:00 PMPark Joo HoDortmund@DarmstadtFox Soccer 2 Go
Wednesday2:00 PMKim Jin SuHoffenheimAugsburgFox Soccer 2 Go
Wednesday2:45 PMKi Sung YuengSwansea@ArsenalNBC Extra Time
Wednesday2:45 PMSon Heung MinTottenham@West HamNBC Extra Time
Wednesday4:00 PMSuk Hyun JunPortoGil Vicente (Cup)GolTV


Lee Chung Yong -- Did make the bench but did not play.  With Crystal Palace a mess and a short week, maybe there's a glimmer of hope of playing but I don't think he'll do much more at the start on the bench.


Koo Ja Cheol -- Came on as a sub at halftime and had a huge positive impact, with some good passing and two shots which despite being deflected, started actions which eventually resulted in goals.  Unfortunately, Koo stopped running midplay, then tried to stretch out his calf.  He played through for another 5-10 minutes after waving off the sub, but had to be pulled off by the end.  It didn't look severe though with a short week, I think he might have to be content recuperating or a bench role at best.


Hong Jeong Ho -- Still out injured and didn't make squad.  With a short week, perhaps he's ready but haven't read anything yet to indicate any change in health yet.


Ji Dong Won -- Ji was recovered enough from his illness to make the bench and had Koo not pulled up lame and requiring another sub, perhaps he might have come on in final minutes to win it.  With Koo ailing, Ji has a good chance of starting and certainly will make the bench if not.


Park Joo Ho -- Didn't make squad.  He did get a vote of confidence from Tuchel midweek... after Tuchel stated that he's behind Durm and Schmelzer in left back hierarchy.


Kim Jin Su -- Hoffenheim reverted to a more traditional set of fullbacks but still no KJS.  Looks like he has a long way to earn back minutes with Nagelmann.


Ki Sung Yueng -- Started but was subbed off after 83 minutes of really invisible football.  A recurring theme of opponents abusing his side of the field out wide continued again, and Ki didn't look up to chasing the ball back in his own end.  He was ok when he did get the ball, but that was far too infrequently and he played passively all day.  He needs to step up even if the formation doesn't work for him.  He should start but he was pretty weak today and could be benched.


Son Heung Min -- Was bright enough but missed a clear 1 on 1 chance.  He made some good passes and dribbles.  He wasn't spectacular but he worked hard and played well as Tottenham played relentlessly in attack and Son helped facilitate that.  His play in final third still remains a bit frustrating given that's usually his strength.  He looked ok energy wise so I think he might start, but perhaps Mason gets added to the rotation and puts Son on the bench.


Suk Hyun Jun -- Started and played the full 90.  I didn't watch the first half but he looked good with some good runs, a wrongly called offside on a header that was barely saved, and good presence in the air.  Even though he didn't score, he looked to have a good game, and was strong in set pieces as well.