Most of the players who advanced to the round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup were on the first national team call list after the appointment of coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Except for Oh Hyeon-gyu (Celtic) and Lee Ki-je (Suwon Samsung), who were reserve players for the World Cup, the roster is the same as Paulo Bentoho’s.
As coach Klinsman lacked time to identify the players, it is expected that the color of the new national team and the full-fledged competitive structure by position will be shown from the next A match.
On the 13th, the Korea Football Association announced the 26-member national team roster for Klinsman’s debut match against Colombia (24th) and Uruguay (28th).
Compared to the Bentoho roster, only two have changed. Left fullback Hong Chul (Daegu FC) and right fullback Yoon Jong-gyu (FC Seoul) were ruled out due to injuries, while Oh Hyun-gyu and Lee Ki-je were selected.
Lee Ki-je played two matches in Qatar World Cup second qualifying round at Bentuho. Oh Hyun-kyu also boarded the Bento through an evaluation match with Iceland in November last year. Although he did not make the final list at the Qatar World Cup, he was selected as a reserve member to prepare for the injury of Son Heung-min (Tottenham) and trained with the national team in Qatar.
The list of overseas players, including Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Lee Kang-in (Mallorca), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Lee Jae-seong (Mainz), and Hwang In-beom (Olympiacos), who are showing off their recent performance, are also the same as in Bentoho.
After watching the K-League 1 match between Seoul and Ulsan Hyundai at the Seoul World Cup Stadium the previous day, coach Klinsman said, “The players who participated in the Qatar World Cup made it to the round of 16, and deserve praise in front of the fans.” He predicted that there would be no big difference from the existing national team roster.
An official from the Korea Football Association said, “No matter which manager came, he would have lacked time to get to know the players.” 나르샤 토토
Coach Klinsman introduced the list of coaching staff, including technical advisor Cha Du-ri, through his inauguration press conference on the 9th. After the formation of the division, they began their full-fledged activities, starting with watching the K-League 1 match between Seoul and Ulsan on the 12th.
Colombia and Uruguay are expected not to deviate much from the way the game was run during Bentoho. Experts analyzed that it would be possible to see the big picture, such as the set piece situation or maintaining the distance between attack and defense, but it would be difficult to see the detailed tactics. Coupang Play commentator Han Jun-hee said, “The selection of Oh Hyun-gyu and Lee Ki-je should also be seen as an extension of Bentoho,” and “I think more changes will come from the next A match.”
Considering the age and deterioration of skills of players who participated in the Qatar World Cup, it is expected that the competition will be fiercer than Bentoho in some positions. Sports trend commentator Kim Dae-gil pointed out, “The selection of Hyun-gyu Oh is meaningful in terms of generational change,” and pointed out, “Coach Klinsman will have to carefully check how to select flank defense and wingbacks.”