The Samsung Hauzen Cup is a filler competition created to allow domestic football during times of increased national team activity. This competition can perhaps be seen as an attempt to solve the country v club conflict over players. It allows the Korean League Cup clubs to engage in meaningful competition without jeopardizing their national championship aspirations while their best players are away on international duty with the Korean national team. The Korea Professional Championship tournament played in 1986 can be seen as a forerunner of this competition. It took place during the summer, when the national team was taking part at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
The competition was re-launched in 2004 as Samsung Hauzen Cup, while the Olympic Games and the Asian Cup were taking place. In 2005, the competition was played at the start of the season which coincided with a number of World Cup qualification matches. The 2006 edition was played during summer, allowing the top K-League players to focus on the World Cup finals in Germany.
Zé Carlos
Choi Sung-Kuk