WORLD Cup defender Hong Myung-bo hopes his inclusion in the South Korean squad for the Marlboro Dynasty Cup will bring even better results to a team already buoyed by recent success.
South Korea reached the final of the Carlsberg Cup Lunar New Year tournament last week and, despite losing 1-0 to Yugoslavia, they showed their rivals they can hold their own despite fielding virtually an Olympic side.
Hong, who missed the Carlsberg tournament because he was training in South America with his club Posco Atoms, has appeared in two World Cup finals and was voted the Asian Football Confederation's Defender of the Year in 1994.
He showed his versatility by scoring goals against Spain and Germany in the first round stage of last year's World Cup.
Russian coach Anatoli Bychovets praised his star player saying: 'He's a great sweeper with the skill and strength of two players. We hope his inclusion will boost our hopes of winning back this trophy.' South Korea won the inaugural Dynasty Cup in 1990 when they defeated China, their first round opponents this time round, 5-4 on penalties after both sides were deadlocked at 1-1 at the end of extra-time.
Hong scored for South Korea in regular time but was forced to miss the final of the 1992 Dynasty Cup because of suspension as Japan beat South Korea 6-4 in a penalty shootout.