11/25 - Intl Window Preview
Two home games against CONMEBOL and CAF opponents
Korea enters its final international window of 2025 against opponents Bolivia and Ghana, ranked 76 and 73 respectively.
While Bolivia have yet to qualify with inter-confederation playoff awaiting them after finishing 7th on CONMEBOL, Ghana are through. They’re serious teams. Then again, so is Korea. And this is in our backyard. Korea should hold two wins.
I expect very minimal variation between how Korea play now and how Korea will play next summer in North America. Our goalkeepers are set in stone. Seung-gyu to start. Our backline is practically there with Cho Yu-min, Lee Han-beom, Park Jin-seob, Kim Ju-sung (not selected) and still completely neutered without Kim Min-jae. We’re shuffling through fullback options with the return of Kim Moon-hwan, Lee Myung-jae, and even Jeong Sang-bin (not selected).
It’s funny because there’s always been a bit of wealth in Korea’s midfield options, but it feels to be truly tested this window with the loss of Hwang In-beom, Paik Seung-ho, and Lee Dong-gyeong. It’s a pity especially for Paik to lose another chance to prove himself in In-beom absence.
In Lee Dong-gyeong’s loss, Kang-in has the opportunity to step up, similarly to the way he has recently in PSG. His performances have continued to turn heads with as of late, stepping in the absence of Doue and Dembele out with injury. In the same sense, he has the chance to do the same for Korea. Our midfield metronome is gone. His backup is gone too. Your competitor on the right is also missing.
That leave Jens, Kim Jin-gyu, Kwon Hyeok-kyu, Won Du-jae, and last minute call-up Seo Min-woo to make up the middle. Kim Jin-gyu might just start since he’s the most familiar profile as the starting midfielders - but Kwon and Jens especially must be relishing the opportunity.
Jens would allow Jae-sung and Kang-in to play more. He’s a starter for Gladbach across their midfield, and as industrious for club as he has been with Korea. Kwon’s been rewarded with his first senior call-up after starting regularly for Nantes this season, and he’s regularly deputized as an anchor for Nantes backline.
With Jae-sung, Son, and Kang-in, we should be confident and play our football. The return of Yang Min-hyeok, who’s found his footing at Portsmouth, and especially striker Cho Gue-sung, leaves room for the imagination. That’s without mentioning Oh Hyeon-gyu, who’s really hit his stride at Genk.
Korea ought to be confident. Tae Tak reports vulnerabilities in both teams’ backline. We should aim to expose them as early as possible. If there’s an inexperienced centreback in Bolivia, attack the space or aim to play in that space. If Ghana’s goalkeeper is privy to physical presence, get Gue-sung in there. Shades of 2022. How crazy is it that Gue-sung’s return comes with a rematch against Ghana by the way?
This is our team. So obviously so that I’ve now begun catching myself asking questions on tactical variety and ability to make mid-game adjustments. But the squad is good and we are playing at home. They should bring with them some answers along with results.
Korea fighting.
Nice work Kevin, and thanks for the shout-out ✌️