"Hungry 2nd Line" Bae Junho, Yang Hyunjun, Um Ji Sung, and "Hong Myung Bo Ho" leaning on Yang Minhyuk...Who will fill the gap between Lee Kang-in and Lee Kang-in?
"Hungry 2nd Line" Bae Junho, Yang Hyunjun, Um Ji Sung, and "Hong Myung Bo Ho" leaning on Yang Minhyuk...Who will fill the gap between Lee Kang-in and Lee Kang-in?
Blog Article
The injury of Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), the core of the national soccer team's attack, was as shocking as the match against Oman with his frustrating performance at home. Amid the unfavorable situation, the national team hopes for Young-gun to replace Lee Kang-in.
Lee Kang-in injured his left ankle during Group B 7 of the Asian final qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup against Oman at Goyang Stadium on the 20th. In the 35th minute of the second half, Lee Kang-in, who reached behind the opponent's striker, twisted his step and folded his left foot. South Korea then allowed an equalizer, and Lee Kang-in withdrew to the bench on the back of the support staff. While the national team had only one point, Lee Kang-in's injury also overlapped, leaving a big regret and worry. Fortunately, it was not a major injury, but he was called off from the national team on the 22nd because he needed two weeks to return.
Someone should replace Lee Kang-in, who assisted Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhamton) in the first goal with a sharp penetrating pass in the match against Oman, where the frustrating trend continued. This is why attention is focused on the formation of the offense in Group B's eighth match against Jordan, which will be held at Suwon World Cup Stadium on the 25th.
Of course, chances are high that Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur), Lee Jae-seong (Mainz), and Hwang Hee-chan (Queens Park Rangers), who have worked together for a long time, will once again form a starting lineup in the match against Jordan. However, the second-tier Korean national team has more options than other positions. There is a greater chance than ever that the four young guns that are active in the U.K., including Bae Joon-ho (Stoke City), Yang Hyun-joon (Celtic), Um Ji-sung (Swansea City), and Yang Min-hyuk (Queens Park Rangers), will be selected.
Bae is the closest to instantaneous power among them. After scoring his debut goal in an away match in Group C of the second Asian qualifying round for the World Cup against Singapore in June last year, Bae has continued to display good performance in the national team by scoring in an away match in Group B of the final qualifying round against Kuwait in November.
For Yang Hyun-joon and Um Ji-sung, the match against Jordan is an opportunity to broaden their foothold in the national team. As Yang has played in only four and three matches for the national team, he is highly determined to play in the match against Jordan. In particular, Yang has scored five goals and six assists in 28 matches this season, showing off his strong sense of play. Um Ji-sung, who missed the match due to a knee injury in October last year, can also become a "single goal member" if he takes advantage of the opportunity with the current national team without Lee Kang-in. Yang Min-hyuk, who has no A-match experience, 안전놀이터 can also be used as a "surprise card."
"Hong Myung-bo" also needs to fill the vacancies of Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City) and Jeong Seung-hyun (Alwaseul), who lost due to injury along with Lee Kang-in. He injured his left hamstring during the match against Oman and left calf muscle during pre-training, respectively. If Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) fails to shake off the aftereffects of his calf injury, Won Doo-jae (Corpacan Club) can play for the central midfielder position where Baek Seung-ho plays. Kim Joo-sung (FC Seoul) can fill the position of center back Jung Seung-hyun.