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The 37 middle school soccer players who live in the "Boys Home" in Busan, run by a group of Catholic nuns can't wait for the Korea- Poland game on June 4, because they can see goalkeeper Kim Byoung-ji, a graduate of their institute. The home is for boys who have lost their parents or those whose family are destitute.
It offers various athletic opportunities and its soccer team is famous, having received awards at national competitions. The 37 members of the Boy's Home soccer team were given the gift of Korea-Poland match tickets last May 29 by an anonymous donor.
Since then, the home has filled with a World Cup atmosphere and the players are waiting for the day in which they can wear their 'Red Devil' cheering uniforms to the stadium. In the foyer and on the pillars of their lodgings are full-sized pictures of Kim Byoung-ji with the words "Korea team for the Second Round," "Stub-head (Kim's nickname) Doesn't Have Goal in His Dictionary!" and letters to "Big Brother."
Coach Jeong Jung-hwa says, "Soccer and Kim Byoung-ji, a soccer senior are hope to our children." The children know that million dollar French player Zidane was poor in his youth." Goalkeeper Dong-min (15) says, "Going to see the World Cup all seems like a dream."
(Youm Kang-su, ksyoum@chosun.com )
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