Bit of a cock up this like...Club goes all the way to Korea and the only person the local would have known ain't even gonna be there. JI Dong-Won has been called up into South Koreaâs Olympic squad for London 2012, which means he will miss out on Sunderlandâs pre-season trip to his homeland. The Black Cats play in the four-team Peace Cup in South Korea in July hoping to make a big impact in Asia and Ji would have been a big part of that publicity drive. But Ji â who has scored eight goals in his 16 international outings and is hugely popular in his homeland â will be unavailable as he works on preparations for the Olympics with his national side. The 21-year-old was yesterday named in South Korea coach Hong Myung-Boâs 23-man squad for the Olympic menâs football which runs from July 26 until August 11. The dates of the tournament itself do not overlap with Sunderlandâs cup games in Korea on July 19 and 22 but South Korea have also lined up warm-up friendlies against New Zealand in Seoul on July 14 and then Senegal in England on July 20. Losing their most recognisable figure for the trip is a blow for Sunderland, who are using their visit to South Korea to raise their profile in Asia and attract a following in the Far East.
Would rather he went to the Olympics, if he plays there then he does not have to do National Service, meaning we would not lose him for 2 years later on
