LONDON -- Pim Verbeek, South Korea's assistant coach, was among the spectators at Yokohama International Stadium for the match between the Yokohama F. Marinos and JEF United Ichihara on Sept. 29. He didn't hang around long. Even before the final whistle, he was on the move, heading for Kashiwa to watch the night game between Reysol and Tokyo Verdy 1969.
The Dutch assistant to Guus Hiddink was checking on some of South Korea's international players -- Choi Yong Soo of Ichihara and Yoo Sang Chul, Hong Myung Bo and Hwang Sun Hong of Kashiwa -- ahead of an eight-day training.
Traveling between Seoul and Tokyo, often just over a weekend, is one of Verbeek's routines. He also visits other J. League clubs where South Koreans play to check on their condition and negotiate their release national team activities.