Lee Kang-in (22, Mallorca), Eom Won-sang (24, Ulsan Hyundai), Jung Woo-young (24, Freiburg), etc. Coach Hwang Seon-hong (55)스포츠토토, who is aiming for a third consecutive gold medal in the Asian Games, is in a happy mood.
The under-24 (U-24) national team led by coach Hwang Seon-hong gathered at Paju NFC on the 15th and conducted training. It is a convocation in preparation for the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games to be held in September. Originally, the Asian Games in Hangzhou were planned to be held last year, but in the aftermath of Corona 19, the age limit was extended to 24 as it was postponed for a year.
Only domestic players were called to this call. In fact, the K-League is also in full swing, but there are not many opportunities to work together until the tournament, so the clubs cooperated with the selection.
Coach Hwang Seon-hong also welcomed him, saying, “The league is very fierce, so it is difficult to call up unless it is during the A match period. Fortunately, the coaches gave us a good opportunity. It’s a short time, but it will be a valuable time to share tactics with the players.”
[OSEN=Tashkent (Uzbekistan), reporter Cho Eun-jung]
Overseas players did not join, but it is a splendid team composition nonetheless. Although Lee Kang-in, Oh Hyun-gyu (Celtic), Hong Hyun-seok (Ghent), Jeong Sang-bin (Minnesota), and Oh Se-hoon (Shimizu) are missing, there are many star players such as Song Min-gyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Um Won-sang, and Yang Hyun-jun (Gangwon FC).
In particular, the competition for the second line is fiercer than ever. Leading by Lee Kang-in, who is playing an active role in La Liga and attracting attention, Jung Woo-young, who is in the Bundesliga, Um Won-sang, the wing of Ulsan, the sole leader of the K-League 1, and Song Min-gyu, who leads the Jeonbuk attack, are waiting for a call.
It’s not just these. Players with experience in the adult national team, such as Yang Hyeon-jun, Koh Young-jun (Pohang Steelers), Cho Young-wook (Gimcheon Sangmu), and Um Ji-seong (Gwangju FC), can also join Hwang Seon-hong. Ko Jae-hyeon (Daegu FC), who leads the Daegu attack with sharp determination, cannot be left out.
It is a picture of close to 10 outstanding players competing fiercely. As only 22 people can be named on the final list, it is expected that at most 5-6 players can be selected among the 2nd line resources. This means that close to half of them could drop out.
[OSEN=Reporter Cho Eun-jung, Hwaseong]
Director Hwang Seon-hong is also screaming with happiness. He said, “The side competition is too fierce. Everyone is so good that it’s hard to say who will go to the finals of the tournament,” he said.
Of course, Lee Kang-in is very likely to be selected as long as there are no major incidents such as injuries. Regarding the plan to utilize Lee Kang-in, coach Hwang Seon-hong hinted, “I have conceived how to use (Lee Kang-in). His performance is really good from the side. The key is how well he will do in other positions.” did.
The goal of the national team is to win three consecutive Asian Games. Korea won gold medals consecutively at the 2014 Incheon Games and the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games. If Hwang Seon-Hong-Ho succeeds in his seniors and wins the gold medal, Korean soccer will be the first in the history of the tournament to win three consecutive championships.