*This content was translated by AI.
It is a shocking exclusion. Players who have delivered the best performances in the K League this season failed to make the final roster for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya (Japan) Asian Games. While the number of entries is limited and team composition falls under the coach's exclusive authority, the decision deviates so significantly from expectations that it leaves one bewildered.
Head coach Lee Min-seong announced the final 23-man roster for the Asian Games through the Korea Football Association on the 9th. The squad consists of nine players competing in Europe and 14 from the K League. Among the three wild-card spots available for players aged 24 or older, Lee Gi-hyeok (Gangwon FC), Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic FC), and Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City) were selected.
It is a situation where a team composed of Seon Su-deul-ro (CEO) players, who are truly delivering the best performances, should be formed. However, some players who have been making remarkable strides on the K League 1 stage this season and showing a clear presence failed to make it onto the final roster for this year's Asian Games. Judging solely by their standout performances throughout the entire K League 1 this season, fans are finding it difficult to easily accept the exclusion of these players, who would not only be worthy of selection for the national team but also capable of playing as starters in the tournament.
Seo Jae-min (23), the core of Yoon Jeong-hwan's midfield this season, is a prime example. He has started and played the full 90 minutes in all 16 K League 1 matches this season, contributing one goal and one assist. A recipient of the K League 2 Rookie of the Year award for the 2024 season, he immediately established himself as a key player after transferring from Seoul E-Land to Incheon United. Notably, his tireless stamina has allowed him to make an immense impact on both offense and defense. He swept the top three positions in the Korea Professional Football League's Best Runner Top 6 list, which was compiled based on rounds 1 through 15, and even secured a spot among the top six overall. Furthermore, he claimed the number one spot for the Best Runner of the Round an impressive seven times and has remained in the top six for every round since the season opener.
Yoon Jeong-hwan, the Incheon head coach, praised Seo Jae-min, saying, "The second division and first division are likely very different, but I can feel that he came with a truly firm resolve and has prepared well." Seo had already been called up to the Thai away trip last month and even made it onto the trial roster. However, despite this, Seo was overlooked by head coach Lee Min-seong and failed to secure a spot for this year's Asian Games. For him, born in 2003, this tournament also marked his final opportunity at the Asian Games.
FC Seoul, currently leading the K League 1 under manager Kim Ki-dong, has a player whose exclusion is equally baffling: Son Jeong-beom (19). He has appeared in 13 matches this season (starting in 9), recording one goal and two assists. A product of Seoul's youth system from Osan Middle School and Osan High School, he was called up through the priority draft this year. Despite this, manager Kim has placed his deep trust in him, propelling him to a starting role for Seoul. Manager Kim evaluated him by saying, "He displays composure and calmness beyond his years." He is a talent already receiving love calls from Europe, including England, yet coach Lee Min-seong has turned him away.
In addition, Han Tae-hee (22, Daegu FC), who has unusually served as the starting goalkeeper for his team since last season despite his young age, and European-based players Kim Min-su (20, Girona) and Yoon Do-young (20, Brighton & Hove Albion) are among those who were overlooked by coach Lee Min-seong and failed to make it to this year's Asian Games. Of course, the Asian Games is not a tournament organized by FIFA, so coordination with their respective clubs regarding player release was necessary; however, since this year's Asian Games schedule largely overlaps with the A-match window in September and October, the possibility that club "refusals to release" players played a decisive role remains slim.
Of course, it cannot be definitively claimed that the players who secured the Taeguk mark over them lack qualifications. However, considering that they were eliminated despite delivering standout performances across the entire K League, and even in cases where a player who has already resolved their military service obligations was selected for the same position, this decision is undeniably difficult to justify. A club official pointed out, "Of course, assembling the national team falls solely under the authority of head coach Lee Min-seong and his coaching staff, but it is true that selections and exclusions are made that are hard to understand." The official added, "Given that this tournament involves the sensitive issue of military service, a poor result could trigger significant fallout."
Head coach Lee Min-seong stated regarding the final roster selection for this year's Asian Games, "We have been carrying out a systematic preparation process since last year and closely examined each player's competitiveness and the team's tactical completeness through various international matches. Through these experiences, we have further clarified the direction of football we pursue and identified areas that require improvement."
He added, "Through two training camps held after the Asian Cup, we re-evaluated the players' physical condition and level of growth, experimented with various combinations, and focused on improving the team's organizational strength and tactical completeness. After comprehensively reviewing all these processes, we finalized the roster by selecting the most competitive players in this age group who can deliver the best results in a short-term tournament." He also said, "Although they competed to the best of their abilities until the end, I would like to express my sincere apologies to the players who were not included in the final roster."
- Goalkeepers: Kim Min-seung (Paju Frontiers FC), Kim Jun-hong (Suwon Samsung), Lee Seung-hwan (Chungbuk Cheongju FC)
- Defenders: Kim Ji-soo (Brentford FC, England), Kang Min-jun (Pohang Steelers), Park Kyung-seop (Incheon United), Park Sung-hoon (FC Seoul), Bae Hyun-seo (Gyeongnam FC), Shin Min-ha (Gangwon FC), Choi Seok-hyun (Ulsan HD), Choi Woo-jin (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
- Midfielders: Park Seung-soo (Newcastle United, England), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City FC, England), Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic FC, Scotland, WC), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City, England, WC), Yang Min-hyeok (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Lee Hyun-ju (FC Arouca, Portugal), Kang Sang-yoon (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Lee Gi-hyeok (Gangwon FC, WC), Lee Seung-won (Gangwon FC), Hwang Do-yoon (FC Seoul)
- Forwards: Kim Myeong-jun (KRC Genk, Belgium), Lee Young-jun (Grasshopper Club, Switzerland)
*WC: Wild Card (age 24 and over)
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*This content was translated by AI.
