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Men’s national team for E-1 Championship announced
11. Jul. 2022 14:04:24 1,521
Korea Football Association announced the squad list of the men’s national team for the EAFF E-1 Championship on Monday.
Notably, a quintet of K League hopefuls have been called up to the senior national team for the first time, with Goh Youngjoon (Pohang Steelers), Lee Sangmin, Kang Sungjin (FC Seoul), Kim Jusung (Gimcheon Sangmu), Lee Kihyuk (Suwon FC) making the 26-man list.
Kang, in particular, became the first one amongst the players born in 2003 to join the A-team. In fact, the 19-year-old is 13 years younger than the oldest members of this squad: Kim Younggwon and Hong Chul. Lee Kihyuk, who had been called up for the domestic training camp of Hwang Sunhong’s U-22 side last year, is set to join the senior side having never played in an official match of any age level.
As for the players based overseas, Hwang Inbeom, who is currently without club affiliation, made the list along with Kwon Kyungwon of Gamba Osaka. Those who are plying their trade in foreign countries need the permission from their club, since the EAFF E-1 Championship takes place outside the A-match window set by FIFA.
Paulo Bento stated: “We are taking part in this tournament as a part of our preparations for the World Cup in Qatar, regardless of who we’re going to face or what level of the players we’d be up against. We’re kicking off four days after the K League fixtures on 16 July and then playing three matches in eight days under suffocating heat, which means we should be mindful of our stamina and recovery as well.” He added, “I’ve taken a closer look over the players who are in good form in the K League at the moment. I’m afraid that they might not have enough time to train with the national team, but I’ll try to help them understand the tactics and philosophy of our game.”
The men’s part of the EAFF E-1 Championship takes place at Toyota Stadium in Nagoya, Japan from 20 July, with Korea Republic, Japan, China PR and Hong Kong participating in a round-robin league. The Taegeuk Warriors begin their campaign with their opening match against China PR on 20 July, before taking on Hong Kong and Japan respectively on 24 and 27 July. Having won the tournament five times out of eight editions since its inception in 2003, Korea Republic are aiming to claim a fourth straight win following their success in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
The national team will be called up to the Incheon International Airport on Sunday morning, prior to their departure for Japan on the same day.
Meanwhile, Son Junho (Shandong Taishan) had been ruled out due to a knee injury, and replaced by Lee Yeongjae (Gimcheon Sangmu).
Korea Republic men’s national team for EAFF E-1 Championship (26 players)
Goalkeepers: Jo Hyeonwoo (Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Dongjun (Jeju United), Song Bumkeun (Jeonbuk Hyundai)
Defenders: Kim Younggwon (Ulsan Hyundai), Kwon Kyungwon (Gamba Osaka), Lee Sangmin, Yoon Jonggyu (FC Seoul), Kim Jusung (Gimcheon Sangmu), Cho Yumin (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Hong Chul (Daegu FC), Kim Jinsu, Kim Moonhwan (Jeonbuk Hyundai)
Midfielders: Kwon Changhoon (Gimcheon Sangmu), Hwang Inbeom (Rubin Kazan), Paik Seungho, Song Minkyu, Kim Jingyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Lee Yeongjae (Gimcheon Sangmu), Kim Donghyun (Gangwon FC), Um Wonsang (Ulsan Hyundai), Na Sangho, Kang Sungjin (FC Seoul), Goh Youngjoon (Pohang Steelers), Lee Kihyuk (Suwon FC)
Forwards: Cho Guesung (Gimcheon Sangmu), Cho Youngwook (FC Seoul)
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