KFA has confirmed a 26-man squad of Korea Republic men’s national team for the friendlies in Turkey in January.

Except for Kim Seunggyu of Kashiwa Reysol, all of the players on the list are from the K League with most of them having already featured prominently in the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 last month. Kim Daewon (24, Gangwon FC), Kim Jingyu (24, Busan IPark) and Eom Jisung (19, Gwangju FC) have been called up for the first time.

Coach Paulo Bento said: “I’ve considered some factors including their performances for the national team and clubs last season, and whether they would fit into our style of football as well. A fortnight’s training sessions and two friendlies in Turkey will be good chances for us to check the players individually and in detail. I’m going to watch closely how the newly called-up players will perform and embrace our tactics in the national team.”

Meanwhile, the national team will be called up on 9 January and leaving for Turkey on the same day. Bento and his coaching staff will join the squad in Antalya, Turkey, where they are scheduled to stay until 24 January for training sessions and friendly games.

The national team will then leave for Lebanon on 25 January ahead of their seventh match in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers. However, some of the players will have to return home once the contingent of overseas-based players will have joined the squad in Turkey.

Men’s national team for the friendlies with Iceland and Moldova (26 men)

Goalkeepers: Kim Seunggyu (Kashiwa Reysol), Jo Hyeonwoo (Ulsan Hyundai), Gu Sungyun (Gimcheon Sangmu), Song Bumkeun (Jeonbuk Hyundai)

Defenders: Kim Younggwon, Kim Taehwan, Hong Chul (Ulsan Hyundai), Park Jisu, Jung Seunghyun (Gimcheon Sangmu), Kwon Kyungwon (Seongnam FC), Lee Yong, Kim Jinsu (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Kang Sangwoo (Pohang Steelers)

Midfielders: Won Dujae, Lee Donggyeong, Lee Dongjun (Ulsan Hyundai), Paik Seungho, Song Minkyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Kwon Changhoon, Lee Yeongjae (Gimcheon Sangmu), Kim Daewon (Gangwon FC), Eom Jisung (Gwangju FC), Kim Jingyu (Busan IPark)

Forwards: Cho Guesung (Gimcheon Sangmu), Kim Gunhee (Suwon Samsung), Cho Youngwook (FC Seoul)