Advocaat Admits Frustration

With less than 3 months to go until the World Cup, Seol Ki-hyeon's chance of making an impact on South Korean Coach Dick Advocaat are fading fast.

Prior to the current K League season starting this month, Advocaat called his squad together and isssued a challenge.

'Show your worth to your domestic clubs.'

But the Dutchman has voiced his frustration at travelling to Europe only to see the back of the strikers head as he warms the bench, something seriously jeopardising the mercurial hit man's starting place in his national lineup.

Many have believed that Seol's form has never been the same since his short stint of national service, and herein lies a certain irony.

Striker Lee Dong-gook was overlooked by then coach Hiddink prior to the 2002 World Cup Finals, despite being the Asian Cup highest scorer, and as a result had to serve his full 2 years National Service as opposed to the exemption granted to the World Cup stars as a reward for reaching the semi-final.

Lee's stint started shortly after the Finals finished and he has openly admitted that this has driven him on in his deire to prove himself to Advocaat, and he now looks set to be one of the players consigning Seol to the World Cup wilderness.

Final squads don't have to be announced until May 15, but with Seol not having started for Wolves for some time, and having suffered a skin complaint causing his withdrawal from the last round of international friendlies, time must surely be running out for the man whose goal knocked out Italy last time round.

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