South Korea replaces left back Kim with Mainz's Park

• by Soccer America , May 29, 2014

[WORLD CUP 2014] Mainz defender Park Joo-ho was called into South Korea's 23-player World Cup squad after starting left back Kim Jin-su was ruled out because of an ankle ligament injury.

Kim, 21, was recently injured playing for Japanese club Albirex Niigata and surgery was delayed to see if he could recover in time for South Korea's opener against Russia on June 17, the last day any time starts the tournament.

South Korea got better news on the condition of central defender Hong Jeong-ho, who injured his ankle in the 1-0 loss to Tunisia on Wednesday. It was diagnosed as a bruise.

South Korea Roster (23 players):
Goalkeepers: Jung Sung-ryeong (Suwon Bluewings), Kim Seung-gyu (Ulsan Horang-i), Lee Bom-young (Busan I'Park)
Defenders: Park Joo-ho (Mainz/GER), Yun Suk-young (Queens Park Rangers/ENG), Kim Young-kwon (Guangzhou Evergrande/CHN), Hwang Seok-ho (Sanfrecce Hiroshima/JPN), Hong Jeong-ho (Augsburg/GER), Kwak Tae-hwi (Al Hilal/RSA), Lee Yong (Ulsan Horang-i), Kim Chang-soo (Kashiwa Reysol/JPN).
Midfielders: Ki Seung-yeung (Sunderland/ENG), Ha Dae-sung (Beijing Guoan/CHN), Han Kook-young (Kashiwa Reysol/JPN), Park Jung-woo (Guangzhou R&F/CHN), Son Heung-min (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Kim Bo-kyoung (Cardiff City/WAL), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton Wanderers/ENG), Ji Dong-won (Augsburg/GER).
Forwards: Koo Ja-cheol (Mainz/GER), Lee Keun-ho (Sangju Sangmu), Park Chu-young (Arsenal/ENG), Kim Shin-wook (Ulsan Horang-i).