Colin Bell, the coach of South Korea, expressed his responsibility to shield Casey Phair from excessive attention after including her in the 23-player squad for the Women’s World Cup.
Phair, who has an American father and a South Korean mother, was chosen for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, making her the first player of mixed heritage to be selected for a Korean World Cup squad.
“I know as the first mixed-race player for Korea, men and women, it’s a highlight, it’s something new,” Bell said at a press conference in Seoul.
“But as far as I’m concerned she’s still a kid and it’s my duty to protect her so she can blossom and really fulfil her potential.”
“We’re taking care of her, she’s taken very well to the team. She’s in the squad on merit. She deserves, on her performance, to be selected.”
Phair, who made a strong impression in the Korean youth team, has been added to a squad led by Ji So-yun, a former Chelsea midfielder. The team is set to compete against Germany, Morocco, and Colombia in the upcoming finals starting on July 20. Bell clarified that his decision to select Phair was not an experimental one.
“Casey is going not as a passenger but as a valuable member of the squad and has every chance of getting into the team,” he added. “I also want to have that competition.”
Squad
Goalkeepers: Ryu Ji-soo, Kim Jung-mi, Yoon Young-guel
Defenders: Shim Seo-yeon, Lee Young-ju, Lim Seon-joo, Kim Hye-ri, Jang Sel-ji, Choo Hyo-joo, Hong Hye-ji
Midfielders: Kim Yun-ji, Jeon Eun-ha, Bae Ye-bin, Cho So-hyun, Lee Geum-min, Ji So-yun, Chun Ga-ram
Forwards: Kang Chae-rim, Son Hwa-yeon, Moon Mi-ra, Park Eun-sun, Choe Yu-ri, Casey Phair Yu-jin
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