'Just when' D-1 to the World Cup, Hong Myung-bo's team faces 'massive setback'... Key center-back goes down "Possible to miss all three group stage matches" [From Guadalajara]

Este contenido ha sido traducido por IA.

A massive setback occurred just before the first World Cup match. The South Korean national football team, facing the long-awaited Group Stage match 1 against Czech Republic, found itself in an emergency situation due to the sudden injury of starting center-back Kim Tae-hyun (Kashiwa Reysol) at the decisive venue.

Coach Hong Myung-bo's Lee Kkeu-neun (CEO) team conducted final training for the Czech match on the afternoon of the 10th (local time) at the Chivas Verde Valle training ground near Guadalajara, Mexico.

Initially, the national team was maintaining a smooth training flow, but an unexpected crisis arose when news of an injury sustained during tactical training the previous day was reported.

According to a South Korean Football Association official, Kim Tae-hyun injured his left ankle while participating in a so-called pass game round during training on the 9th. As a result, Kim Tae-hyun, along with Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), who injured his ankle in the Trinidad and Tobago match, faces difficulty in playing tomorrow's match.

Even more critical is the severity of Kim Tae-hyun's injury. Kim Tae-hyun may miss all three group stage matches, including the first match against Czech Republic, as well as matches against Mexico and South Africa.

Kim Tae-hyun's injury is a fatal blow to Lee Tal-eun (CEO) team. The first opponent, Czech Republic, has an average height of 187cm and relies heavily on aerial play as its greatest weapon. In response, Kim Tae-hyun, who possesses a solid physical condition of 187cm, was expected to provide valuable aerial support for the defensive line.

With Kim Tae-hyun out of the lineup, it is highly likely that Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon FC), who was the surprise selection for Hong Myung-bo's left-footed center-back in a three-back system, will take his place. Lee Ki-hyuk, who emerged as a Cinderella story after his first selection following Hong Myung-bo's appointment, has recently shown sharp passing in the final friendly matches against Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador.

Hong Myung-bo's team had already lost Jo Yu-min (Sharjah) to injury, who was included in the final roster during the friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago. As professional center-backs for Hyeon Jae (CEO) team, there are Kim Min-jae, Lee Han-beom, and Jo Wi-je (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), who accompanied the training partners and became a regular member instead of Jo Yu-min. Park Jin-seop (Zhejiang FC), who can play both as a defensive midfielder and center-back, is classified as a defender.

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Este contenido ha sido traducido por IA.