"Hong Myung Bo-ho, who was tired." Thank God, Hong Myung-bo Team said, "It's not a big injury." However, participation in the match against Ivory Coast is a question mark "recommended for rest."

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Kang-in (25, Paris Saint-Germain) fortunately avoided a major injury. However, in order to protect players, it is highly likely that they will miss the first A match.

The South Korean national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will face Austria in Vienna, Austria, on the 1st of next month after a clash with Ivory Coast at Milton Keynes, England, at 11 p.m. on the 28th (Korea Standard Time). It is the "final mock test" ahead of the 2026 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup, which opens in June.

Lee Kang-in, a key player of the national team, faced a dizzying situation during the 27th round of the French League 1 away match against Nice on the 22nd (Korea time). In the 14th minute of the second half, opposing midfielder Yusuf was strongly stepped on his left ankle by Daishimiye. It was such a rough foul that the referee declared a Red Card after VAR. In the end, Lee Kang-in complained of pain and was replaced by Dembele in the 20th minute of the second half.

Amid attention on the extent of the injury, France's Le Parisien reported on the 23rd that "Lee Kang-in fortunately avoided serious injuries."

Unlike Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), who was dropped after being included in the national team list, the Korea Football Association (KFA) also did not announce the cancellation of Lee Kang-in, suggesting that the injury was minor.

However, skepticism prevails over whether he will participate in the match against Ivory Coast on the 28th. Le Parisien predicted, "Lee Kang-in will concentrate on recovery for a few days, and the team's first schedule, the match against Ivory Coast, will take a break to protect the players."

Sports media "Tribuna" also analyzed, "Lee Kang-in is expected to return after adjusting his condition until the match against Austria," adding, "He will be able to join PSG's schedule, which will resume after the A-match period."

Hong Myung-bo, who tried to check his "full body" power ahead of the World Cup, faced a variable called Lee Kang-in's poor condition following Hwang In-beom's departure. The national team is expected to decide when to put in the match against Austria after watching Lee Kang-in's recovery trend.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.