Park replaces Kim in Korea WC squad

May 29, 2014 - 1:13 PM South Korea handed Mainz fullback Park Joo-Ho a last-minute call-up to replace the injured Kim Jin-Soo Thursday, just a day before the squad jets off for their World Cup campaign.

Park, the only notable snub when coach Hong Myung-Bo announced his 23-man squad earlier this month, got his chance after Albirex Niigata's Kim failed to recover quickly from an ankle injury.

The move came after the 2002 semi-finalists humiliatingly lost their final warm-up game 1-0 against Tunisia in front of a packed house at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

The Taeguk Warriors also have injury concerns over FC Augsburg defender Hong Jeong-Ho, who went off early in Wednesday's game with an ankle problem.

Park's initial omission from Hong's squad came because he was also out of action with a foot injury.

After Wednesday's game, the coach apologised to the Seoul crowd and admitted South Korea would struggle in Brazil unless they can tighten up in midfield and defence.

On Friday, they will fly to Miami for a training camp and a friendly against Ghana, their last game before facing Russia, Algeria and Belgium in Group H in their eighth straight World Cup.

Goalkeepers: Jung Sung-Ryong (Suwon Bluewings), Kim Seung-Gyu (Ulsan Hyundai), Lee Bum-Young (Busan IPark)

Defenders: Hong Jeong-Ho (FC Augsburg), Hwang Seok-Ho (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Kim Chang-Soo (Kashiwa Reysol), Park Joo-Ho (Mainz), Kim Young-Gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande), Kwak Tae-Hwi (Al Hilal), Lee Yong (Ulsan Hyundai), Yun Suk-Young (Queens Park Rangers)

Midfielders: Ha Dae-Sung (Beijing Guoan), Han Kook-Young (Kashiwa Reysol), Ji Dong-Won (FC Augsburg), Ki Sung-Yueng (Sunderland), Kim Bo-Kyung (Cardiff City), Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton Wanderers), Park Jong-Woo (Guangzhou R&F), Son Heung-Min (Bayer Leverkusen)

Forwards: Kim Shin-Wook (Ulsan Hyundai), Koo Ja-Cheol (FSV Mainz 05), Lee Keun-Ho (Sangju Sangmu), Park Chu-Young (Watford)

Source: AAP