Ahn ditched from South Korea squad to face Iran

SEOUL, Aug 30 (Reuters) Coach Pim Verbeek included South Korea's three English Premier League representatives in his 25-man squad for Saturday's Asian Cup qualifier against Iran in Seoul, but there was no place for striker Ahn Jung-hwan.

Lee Young-pyo of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United's Park Ji-sung and Reading new-boy Seol Ki-hyeon will form the backbone of the side, while veteran campaigners Kim Nam-il and Lee Eul-yong were also called up.

Dutchman Verbeek, who took over from compatriot Dick Advocaat after South Korea's first-round World Cup exit, excluded Ahn and promising youngster Park Chu-young, who has suffered a dip in form.

''Ahn has had insufficient exercise as he has been seeking a new contract with a European club, while Park has yet to overcome his slump,'' Verbeek said.

Ahn, who scored the opener in South Korea's 3-0 win over Taiwan this month, is looking for a move away from German second division side MSV Duisburg.

Cha Du-ri of Germany's FSV Mainz 05 was named but has more chance of playing against Taiwan on September 6 than against Iran.

The Korea Football Association said Mainz had sent a letter asking for Cha to miss the game after picking up a slight groin injury.

REUTERS PDS KN1418