Lee Kang-in dropped from the Korean national team

Lee Kang-in, Paik Seung-ho, and Jung Seung-hyun were released from the national team due to injuries. In order for Hong Myung-bo to turn a crisis into an opportunity, he must make the most of not only the existing starters but also other national team players.

In an interview conducted before training on the afternoon of the 22nd, Coach Hong Myung-bo officially released Lee Kang-in, Baek Seung-ho, and Jung Seung-hyun. According to a Korea Football Association official, the doctors diagnosed that all three players had minor injuries that would require about two weeks of recovery, but it would be difficult for them to play in the Jordan match. The three players will consult with their teams to decide on a specific treatment method, and for now, they plan to return to their teams after receiving treatment in Korea.

Regarding this, Coach Hong said, “After the last match against Oman, Baek Seung-ho and Lee Kang-in were injured. Jung Seung-hyun was injured before that.” He continued, “Before coming here, I spoke with Lee Kang-in face to face. I fully confirmed his attitude, demeanor, and mindset toward the national team. However, he is important to our team, but he is also an extremely important player to his team. That is why I decided to release the three players. We will prepare for the Jordan match with the remaining players.

There will be no replacement selections. Although time is limited, it is not impossible to select replacements because we have accumulated data. However, since we formed a squad of 28 players, which is two more than the standard 26 players for major international competitions, while preparing for this A match, there will be no problem in operating the Jordan match even if Lee Kang-in, Baek Seung-ho, and Jung Seung-hyun are all out. Coach Hong has decided to trust the remaining 25 players.

Therefore, the way to turn the injury crisis into an opportunity is to hire players who can breathe fresh air into the national team. It was proven through the Oman match that the national team needs new faces. Not only the fullbacks, which are mostly new, but also the midfield and second line, we need to use players that we have not seen before.