It is expected that the side defense, which Hong Myung-bo, the head coach of the national soccer team, said he thought hard until the end, will compete fiercely.
Coach Hong announced the list of 26 players to play in the first and second rounds of the third Asian qualifying round for the ‘2026 FIFA North-China World Cup’ at the soccer center in Sinmun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 26th.
Among the first players selected, the names of left back Choi Woo-jin (Incheon) and right back Hwang Moon-ki (Gangwon) stand out.
Including Seol Young-woo (Trvena), Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon), and Lee Myung-jae (Ulsan), five side defenders were included.
When asked which position he agonized the most, Hong said, “I agonized until the end. On the side, I thought we should select the right player for the match with Palestine and Oman. I thought about which player would be needed if I put the opponent in and make aggressive plays.”
A gradual generational change in the side defense, which Kim Jin-soo and Kim Tae-hwan (Jeonbuk) were responsible for, is expected.
First of all, Choi Woo-jin made his professional debut by joining Incheon last year and has been active in earnest since this year.
Showing off sharp kicks this season, scoring four assists in the league.
On Choi Woo-jin, Hong said, “I watched two games in Incheon this time, and he was very good at left fullback. I lack many things because I am young, but he is an interesting player.”
Hwang Moon-ki grew into a league-leading right-back under coach Yoon Jung-hwan, leading Gangwon’s sensation.
After switching from a central midfielder to a side defense, he put on the national flag at the age of 27 as a result of full-blown talent.
Coach Hong said, “Hwang Moon-ki’s team, Gangwon, is in the lead and has good performance. He plays many roles in it. I watched three games in Gangwon Province, and his performance was consistent.”
After his debut in 2020, Seol Young-woo played a key role in the Ulsan dynasty and succeeded in advancing overseas by entering Serbia.
This position is a right-back, but the multi-ability that can also play left-back is a great strength.
Kim Moon-hwan boasts the most rich experience among his competitors with 27 A matches.
He also played full time in all games of the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup.
Lee Myung-jae is a left back who was selected for the national team for the first time in his life with Joo Min-kyu in March this year.
Lee Myung-jae, 메이저놀이터 who has gone through both temporary coaching systems, seeks to play for the second time in the A-match in the Hong Myung-bo team.
Coach Hong set up a side defense with Choi Woo-jin and Lee Myung-jae at left-back, Hwang Moon-ki and Kim Moon-hwan at right-back, and Seol Young-woo, who are both possible.
Attention is focusing on the “all-time” competition that will begin at the full-back position, which has long been pointed out as a weakness of the national team.