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| Koo Ja-cheol of Korea, second from left, celebrates his goal against Kuwait during their World Cup qualifier in Kuwait City, Thursday. / Yonhap |
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Koo Ja-cheol is only 26 years old yet has already has packed as much into his football career as other players approaching 36. The midfielder has starred in the K-League and established himself in the Bundesliga, one of the toughest leagues in the world. In terms of playing for his country, there's been even more. He made the preliminary squad for the 2010 World Cup before being cut from the final 23, but made up for that disappointment by being the joint top scorer at the 2011 Asian Cup and the captain of the 2012 Olympic team that won bronze, earning military exemption.
It was a high point for a player once nicknamed "Koopard" due to a style of playing that was perceived to be similar to former Chelsea and England star Frank Lampard. Koo then made it to the 2014 World Cup, though this was not a happy time for anyone in the Taeguk Warrior camp. He is a familiar figure on the Korean football scene and a natural leader with his aggressive and never-say-die attitude.
Koo's headed goal on Thursday against Kuwait to win the 2018 World Cup qualifier and put Uli Stielike's men in control of Group G and on course for the final round. In that game, Koo actually played on the left side of attack where Son Heung-min would have roamed had the Tottenham Hotspur star not been injured.
The midfielder is no longer an automatic starter for the Taeguk Warriors. In some ways, in a 4-2-3-1 system, it can be hard for Koo to fit in. Not disciplined enough to be a holding midfielder, perhaps not quite creative enough to play behind the striker. He is also not a man to lead the line; Koo does not have a natural role in the team.
Yet Stielike is a fan of Koo's. "He is a player who gives everything for the team and will keep going right until the end," the coach said earlier this year. "Whatever you ask him to do, he does it and he also has the habit of scoring goals and that is something that any coach will appreciate very much."
Koo may not have a natural fit in the team but his flexibility, energy, leadership and aggression all ensure that he still has a big part to play. And then, as Stielike mentioned, there's also his goal scoring record ― the goal in the Kuwait City was his 15th in 49 international games, a statistic that would be impressive for an out-an-out striker.
Playing in Germany has certainly helped his development and as he has moved around clubs, there have been different coaches, styles and team-mates to adapt to. After impressing with Jeju United in the K-League, he moved to the Bundesliga in 2011 to join Wolfsburg, one of the league's stronger teams. He struggled for playing time with the 2009 champions and moved out to Augsburg on loan and played a big role in the team avoiding relegation. That tempted Mainz to buy the player in 2014 but Augsburg still remembered what he had done and came back to sign him on a permanent deal in August 2015.
In the past, just as Koo has started to hit his stride for club and country, injuries have intervened to stop his momentum. If Koo can stay fit then it is good news for the player, Augsburg and South Korea. Korea's natural leader may not be a natural fit in this team but his personality and prowess ensure that he find a role for himself. At 26, he should be approaching his peak and there may well be more to come.
