Veteran midfielder holds hope of playing at 2018 World Cup

ULSAN, Nov. 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korean veteran midfielder Yeom Ki-hun said Monday he still has hopes of playing with younger teammates at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with an upcoming regional tournament to serve as a chance to prove his skills.

At 34, Yeom is the oldest player on South Korea's 24-man roster for the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship in Tokyo next month. South Korea will face Japan, China and North Korea from Dec. 9 to 16.

South Korea head coach Shin Tae-yong plans to test Asian league-based players at the four-nation tournament. The E-1 Football Championship isn't on the official FIFA international calendar, and European clubs aren't obliged to release their international players.

Yeom, who is with Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the K League Classic, will turn 35 when the World Cup kicks off in Russia in June 2018. And the left-footed midfielder, who has four goals in 54 caps, said he believes he can make South Korea's final roster for the World Cup.

"When Uli Stielike was in charge of the national team, I didn't really have big expectations, but after current head coach Shin Tae-yong said he will pick the players regardless of their age, it gave me big motivation," Yeom told reporters before training at Ulsan Stadium.

After Shin took the helm in July following Stielike's exit, Yeom earned national team selections on every occasion, except for friendly matches against Russia and Morocco in October when Shin decided to call up only Europe-based players. Shin previously said he planned to use Yeom as a second-half substitute when the opponents tire.

Yeom, who made his international debut in October 2006, has so far played at one World Cup in his career. He played in all four national team matches in 2010 in South Africa, where South Korea reached the round of 16 for the first time at an away World Cup.

"Whether you are old or young, the World Cup is the stage that every player wants to go," he said. "If I have a chance, I want to play at the World Cup again."

Yeom, the all-time assists leader in the K League with 99 helpers, said he is ready to prove his abilities at the E-1 Football Championship. Previously known as the East Asian Cup, South Korea won the tournament three times -- 2003, 2008 and 2015. Yeom, in particular, was pivotal in South Korea's 2013 title as he scored twice at the tournament.

"That (two goals) happened in a long time ago," he said. "Now we have new coaches and players, so I will try to focus on what the team wants and will try to show that Asian league-based players are also capable of competing."

kdon@yna.co.kr
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