From Lee Kang-in (23, Paris Saint-Germain), who was born in 2001, to Oh Hyun-kyu (23, Genk), who was born in 2003, to Bae Jun-ho (21, Stoke City), the youngest player, who was born in 2003. The future of Korean soccer in their early 20s is aiming at the goal of the match against Iraq.
They are preparing to play against Iraq in Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup at Mir Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, at 8 p.m. on the 15th.
Lee Kang-in, who is already establishing his position as the ace of the national team, as well as Bae Joon-ho and Oh Hyun-kyu, are likely to receive a starting opportunity. Amid the injury of key offensive resources such as Son Heung-min (32, Tottenham) and Hwang Hee-chan (28, Wolverhampton), the age of the national team’s starting strikers could be greatly reduced.
First of all, Lee Kang-in is expected to play a key role in the attack on the right side. He failed to score an attack point in the match against Jordan on the 10th due to intensive checks, but it is a resource that can be expected to play a role as a troubleshooter or helper at a critical moment in the absence of Son Heung-min. There is a possibility of a position change such as central movement, but there is no clear competitive structure, so the starting lineup is a given.
On the other left side, “Shinsung” Bae Jun-ho will prepare to start. In the match against Jordan, as Hwang Hee-chan and Um Ji-sung (22, Swansea City) were injured one after another, Bae Jun-ho, who was substituted on the left side, was active. He shook the opponent’s defense with a bold dribble breakthrough and accurate pass, and even helped Oh Hyun-kyu’s wedge goal, accumulating his first assist in the A-match. Bae Jun-ho was considered the best discovery against Jordan, achieving 100% of both dribbling and pass success rates for about 40 minutes.
However, the Korean team needs to undergo fierce competition to receive the first A-match selection opportunity. Lee Seung-woo (26) and Moon Seon-min (32) of Jeonbuk Hyundai have been replaced and joined, and many players can play as left-handed strikers, including Hong Hyun-suk (25) of the Mainz, who has been replaced by Son. Still, prevailing view is that Bae Joon-ho has a clear advantage in competition with other players in recent trends. This is why expectations for the so-called “left-hander” are growing.
“No one knows who will participate. We have to compete among them,” Bae said. “If I get a chance, I want to do my best to show good performance. If (Lee) Kang-in helps me by playing with him, I think I can create synergy.”
At the forefront, Oh Hyun-kyu, a one-top striker, will try to start the A-match. He re-elected to the national team for the first time since the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in February, and after being substituted for Joo Min-kyu (34, Ulsan HD) in the match against Jordan, he revitalized the team with a bold breakthrough and bold shooting attempts. In the 23rd minute of the second half, he scored his A-match debut goal with a sharp shot to lead the team to victory. 스포츠토토
The only variable of whether to start or not is that Oh Se-hoon (25, Machida Zelvia), a tall striker of 1m93cm with a different style, took a break against Jordan. Instead, Oh Hyun-kyu, who is on the rise, is likely to have a chance to play in two consecutive games. If he can score consecutive A-match goals in the process, he can firmly establish himself as the next-generation one-top. It is meaningful that it is a soft landing for a player born after another 2000s after Lee Kang-in and Bae Jun-ho.