Final Pre-World Cup Rehearsal: March friendlies callups

Hong Myung Bo has released his squad for what might be the last international break we get before the World Cup kicks off in June (there may be another round of friendlies in June but I’m getting conflicting information on whether that’s happening or not). We face Ivory Coast in England on 3/28 and Austria in Vienna on 3/31. The squad itself isn’t too surprising, but what HMB will do with the squad, as always, will be the biggest talking point and the subject of an upcoming post.

Zero surprise with the goalkeeper picks and the FW picks. In defense we have one surprise listing: Jens is listed under DF and during the announcement press conference HMB explicitly stated that he will be deployed as a LWB this game. Makes sense as Jens starts primarily as LWB, sometimes RWB, for Monchengladbach. This leaves Jens competing with Lee Tae Seok (reportedly one of his closest friends on the team) for the LB position, and Seol Young Woo and Kim Moon Hwan rounding out the RB slots.

This leaves Kim Min Jae, Cho Yu Min, Lee Han Beom (the likely starters), Kim Tae Hyeon, and Kim Ju Sung as the CBs with the notable omission here being Kim Ji Soo. We here at the Tavern rate our young CB prospect very highly but with three starters (plus potentially Park Jin Seob) under lock and space for maybe only two more, there is a chance he will not make it this World Cup.

In midfield there is a lot to talk about. It is no secret we are flush with attacking midfielders. From the more creative playmaker types in Lee Kang In, Lee Jae Sung (both of whom pretty much have to start), Bae Jun Ho, Eom Ji Sung to more direct wide forwards in Hwang Hee Chan and interestingly, Yang Hyun Jun. Hwang Hee Chan was always going to make the squad barring injury as we quite literally have no one like him who can drive the ball forward and make decisive plays. Yang Hyun Jun I believe is the right pick between other NT regulars like Moon Seon Min or Jeong Sang Bin. We’ve always had one speedy straight up the pitch type of winger on this team (usually to use as a super sub) and Yang is in terrific form for Celtic right now.

Then we have our CM line which is facing quite the injury crisis. Hwang In Beom just got injured this past weekend (the one guy who is 100% going to start); Park Yong Woo and Won Du Jae are also injured. Paik Seung Ho really needs surgery for a recurrent shoulder injury but has decided to forgo this procedure until after the World Cup (makes sense). Man plays so well for club but has never really recreated his club form on the international stage at a time when he REALLY needs to step up to either replace or partner HIB. So with this squad we have two “offensive” CMs in Kim Jin Kyu and Hong Hyeon Seok, PSH, and two defensive midfielders in Kwon Hyeok Kyu and Park Jin Seob. It is fairly early in the Kwon Hyeok Kyu cycle so he is playing well right now and deserving of the callup. I believe Park Jin Seob would be favored by HMB given his experience and ability to transition as a CB, but HMB mentioned in his press conference that he wants to trial PJS in HIB’s role because he plays more CM than DM for his new club in China? Not sure if we will see that given our significant shortage in DM but would be interesting to watch.

Verdict: fairly predictable squad

Watch to watch for:

1. Who starts up top (our best player or our most in form player)?
2. Do we go 3 ATB or HMB’s usual 4-2-3-1?
3. How do we set up the central midfield? Who can replace HIB and who can play alongside him?
4. In attacking midfield, who makes the squad and who makes the starting XI? Due to depth, there will inevitably be cuts.
5. Can we perform against near-peer opponents?

Stay tuned later this week to explore these dilemmas further!