Will the national team first select '96LINE' and then persuade them? Attention on whether Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom, and Hwang Hee-chan, involved in a "retirement controversy," will be called up

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

• National team roster to be announced at 2 p.m. on the 29th

The roster for the second phase of the Moreno era will be revealed. This is the final friendly match before the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in January next year, and also the final two-match series under Coach Moreno's contract. Attention is focused on whether members of the so-called '96LINE,' who were involved in a national team retirement controversy earlier, will be included in the squad.

Coach Moreno will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. on the 29th at the grand hall of Korea Football Park in Cheonan, Chungnam Province, to announce the roster for the matches against Saudi Arabia and Qatar in November. The Moreno team is set to play friendly matches against Saudi Arabia at 11:30 p.m. (KST) on the 13th of next month, and against Qatar in Doha, Qatar, at 11 p.m. on the 17th.

The Moreno team, which recorded a record of two wins, one draw, and one loss in four A-match friendlies in September and October, will undergo final preparations for the Asian Cup through this two-match series. Coach Moreno, whose contract runs until the 27th of next month, will have his decision to lead the team at the Asian Cup determined after being evaluated over a total of six matches, including this series.

Given the significant meaning of these friendlies in many ways, a "top-tier call-up" is inevitable. However, attention is focused on whether Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Hwang In-beom (FC Porto), and Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke 04), known as the '96LINE,' who were rumored to be retiring from the national team last month, will be selected. It is reported that a long-standing conflict with captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) lies at the center of the joint retirement rumors, and these players are also facing fierce criticism for suggesting their national team retirement using the national team badge as leverage.

The national team retirement controversy involving these players emerged immediately after the final match of the four-match A-match series against Uzbekistan on the 6th. This followed reports that they hinted at a joint retirement in the locker room. In fact, they held an unusual meeting with Hyun Young-min, head of the Korea Football Association's Power Enhancement Committee, until past midnight at the time. While Hwang In-beom denied the retirement rumors when asked, rumors of conflict with Son Heung-min and internal strife within the national team have spread uncontrollably while those involved remained silent. Rumors that some players referred to Son Heung-min as "Number 7" or "that person" have also circulated, intensifying public criticism.

Naturally, great attention is being paid to whether the '96LINE' will be selected for this national team call-up. This is because there is considerable public opinion that players who considered retiring from the national team due to internal conflicts should not be called up, regardless of their status as core members of the team. However, from Coach Moreno's perspective, these players are essential as key components of the team's strength in preparation for important friendlies. As an issue within the national team, demonstrating efforts to resolve conflicts at a reassembled gathering could also be part of the role of the national team manager.

What is important is that Coach Moreno needs to provide a clear explanation, whether or not the '96LINE' are included in this national team roster. After announcing the roster, Coach Moreno plans to head to Europe to meet with players based there. While the targets and schedule of the meetings have not been disclosed, circumstances suggest a high likelihood that he will also meet with Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom, and Hwang Hee-chan.

Coach Moreno has previously refrained from commenting on issues related to the player group, stating that internal matters of the national team should be resolved internally. However, if he selects the '96LINE,' who were involved in a retirement controversy, for the national team and offers only a general answer regarding the background, it could appear as if he is first selecting them and then attempting to persuade them when meeting them in Europe. This would contradict Coach Moreno's statement that "there are no players greater than the team" and could escalate into another controversy. If he selects those at the center of the controversy, a clear explanation of the background is naturally necessary.

Although the possibility seems slim, if a decision is made to exclude the '96LINE' jointly, it could serve as an official acknowledgment by the national team of rumors regarding internal conflict. In this case as well, Coach Moreno needs to provide a responsible explanation as the manager. It could be the first step toward resolving the various speculations and rumors spreading around the national team strife that is shaking Korean football. This is why attention is focused on Coach Moreno's press conference in connection with whether or not the '96LINE' will be selected.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original