'Even the goalkeeper was substituted' Amid fierce ranking competition, Jeonbuk's 'World Cup quartet' rests... Coach Jeong Jeong-yong makes decisive call [Jeonju field]

*This content was translated by AI.

In the midst of a fierce ranking battle, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors coach Jeong Jeong-yong made a decisive move: granting rest to the four players who participated in the World Cup.

Jeonbuk will host Gangwon FC at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on the 4th in the 16th round of Hana Bank K League 1 2026. The outcome of this match against Gangwon is crucial for Jeonbuk. Currently, Jeonbuk sits in third place, while Gangwon holds fourth. The gap between the two teams is merely two points. Depending on the result of this match, their rankings could shift.

However, Coach Jeong Jeong-yong granted rest to Kim Jin-gyu, Jo Wi-je, Kang Sang-yoon, and Song Beom-geun, who participated in the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup. None of them were included on the substitute bench.

Notably, instead of Jeonbuk's starting goalkeeper Song Beom-geun, backup keeper Lee Ju-hyun was named to start and guard the goal.

Before the match, Coach Jeong Jeong-yong explained, "It was a difficult decision, but (the national team players) have not had any rest since being called up. I judged it would be better for the players to refresh themselves. We also needed to consider their perspective, and these four players worked hard during the World Cup." The World Cup quartet is scheduled to join the team on the 6th to resume training.

As a result, Jeonbuk deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mo Tta took the striker role, supported by Kim Seung-seop, Overdane, and Lee Dong-jun in the second line. Lee Young-jae and Maeng Sung-woong orchestrated the midfield. Choi Woo-jin, Kim Young-bin, Park Ji-soo, and Kim Tae-hwan formed the back four, while Lee Ju-heon guarded the goal.

Jeonbuk's foreign striker Thiago is currently sidelined with a jawbone fracture. Coach Jeong estimated that it would take another one to two months for Thiago to recover.

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*This content was translated by AI.