South Korean football chiefs said Tuesday they had renewed an attempt to have Brazilian midfielder Eninho of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors granted South Korean citizenship as part of World Cup preparations.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) said it sent a formal request to the Korea Olympic Committee (KOC) which rules on major decisions concerning sport.

Last week the KOC rejected a request for the player to be granted "special naturalisation" -- which would give him dual Brazilian and South Korean citizenship -- citing his lack of Korean language skills.

But team coach Choi Kang-Hee has urged the KOC to reconsider its verdict. The committee will reassess the case next week.

The coach insisted Monday the move -- part of preparations for the 2014 World Cup and unprecedented in the country's football history -- was for "the benefit of South Korea's national team."

South Korea, who have reached the World Cup finals eight times, play Qatar on June 8, their first match in the final Asian qualification round.

Eninho, 30, joined the K-league in 2003 and Jeonbuk in 2009. He scored 67 goals in 174 K-league matches. (AFP)