'Son Heung-min starts as lone striker; Jens Castrop deployed as wingback' Hong Myung-bo's squad to deploy three-back formation against Trinidad in 'high-altitude mock exam'... Lee Ki-hyeok makes surprise start

*This content was translated by AI.

Under coach Hong Myung-bo, the South Korean national team has opted to field Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) as the lone striker in the 'high-altitude mock exam' against Trinidad and Tobago.

The South Korean national football team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will play a friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago at 10 a.m. (Korean time) on the 31st at BYU South Field in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

According to News1, 'Captain' Son Heung-min will lead the attack as the central striker. Despite struggling to find the net for his club recently, he aims to turn the tide in his 143rd A-match appearance. On the flanks, Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City) and Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), who joined the pre-camp early, will support the attack.

The midfield will be coordinated by Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk) and Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City).

The most noticeable change comes in the wide defense. Jens Castrop (Mönchengladbach), who was ruled out due to injury during the March call-up, will be tested as the left wingback, while Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon) will take the opposite side.

The defense is set up in a three-back formation. Jo Yu-min (Sharjah), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), and surprise selection Lee Ki-hyeok (Gangwon) will form the backline. This marks Lee Ki-hyeok's second A-match appearance. Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan) will wear the goalkeeper's gloves.

Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), who joined late due to his club schedule, and Hwang In-beom, who is recovering from injury, will start from the bench.

The match will allow up to 11 substitutions by mutual agreement between the two teams. In consideration of the high-altitude environment, cooling breaks will be taken once in each half.

The national team is scheduled to play its final friendly match against El Salvador at the same venue on June 4 before heading to the final destination, Guadalajara.

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*This content was translated by AI.