Hong Hyun-seok (24, Hent) and Seol Young-woo (25, Ulsan), who were named to the Hangzhou Asian Games men’s soccer team, have been called up to the A squad for the September friendly against Wales. This is in contrast to most of the Asian Games squad, who were expected to be called up to the A squad at the same time. This is because Hong Hyun-seok and Seol Young-woo have been labeled as important players in Klinsmann’s plans for the squad.
Klinsmann will be looking for his first win as head coach in September’s European friendlies against Wales and Saudi Arabia. Since taking charge of the A team in March, Klinsmann has yet to win in his last four matches, drawing two and losing two. He was particularly embarrassed by his side’s failure to win at home against El Salvador, who are ranked 75th in the FIFA rankings. It’s a dismal record for a coach who was tipped to win the Asian Cup when he took over. Klinsmann set a new record for the most consecutive games without a win by a foreign coach since taking over.
Given the need for a first win, many of the players who were initially named to the Asian Games squad were expected to accompany him to Europe. However, with the Asian Games on the line for military service benefits, it was necessary to organize the transportation, and Baek Seung-ho, Song Min-gyu (Jeonbuk), Jung Woo-young (Stuttgart), and Park Kyu-hyun (Dynamo Dresden) joined Hwang Sun-hong. However, Hong Hyun-seok and Seol Young-woo will join the Asian Games squad after Korea’s away match against Wales on March 8.
Midfielder Hong Hyun-seok and fullback Seol Young-woo both play in key positions in the A team’s generational transition. Their ability to play in a variety of positions and consistent performances make them attractive cards for Klinsmann.
Hong Hyun-seok usually plays as a central midfielder, but he can also play as an attacking midfielder at times. He is very active and defensively sound. Klinsmann can experiment with different midfield combinations. He can play in a three-man defense with backup playmaker Hwang In-beom (27-Olympiakos) or as an attacking midfielder without Lee Kang-in (22-Paris Saint-Germain).
Hong is considered an irreplaceable resource for his club. He gained experience on the big stage last season in the UEFA Europa Conference with one goal and three assists in 12 games, and this season has started well with two assists in four Jupiler League games. 바카라
Having first joined the A squad in March and made his A-match debut in June, Seol has established himself as a key part of the full-back generation. One of his biggest strengths is his versatility. He can also play as a stopper at the back, and he also has an advantage in attack, having played as a winger until his freshman year at Ulsan University.
Seol has a tight schedule ahead of him, and it will be important for him to stay fit. He will play against Wales on March 8, followed by the first match of the Asian Games group stage against Kuwait on March 19.