Korea Republic FIFA World Cup Squad Breakdown
Edited by Michael Welch. Words from the @TaegeukTavern Crew.
On Friday evening in North America, but mid-afternoon Saturday in Seoul, Paulo Bento finally announced his official 26 players in the squad for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Here is his full press conference if you’re interested in watching for his answers to questions about his squad (all in English) :
Here is the official squad list :
With all that in mind, I gathered together an elite panel to break down this squad on the Taegeuk Warriors Podcast. Joining me from the Tavern crew was Gordon Kim, who brought his spiciest takes. We wanted to collaborate with the Fairpoint Podcast, a Korean-language football tactics podcast, so we invited Steve Han and Joon Lee on the show. Give it a listen below :
Since you’re one of our Substack subscribers, we wanted to give you some special World Cup squad content from our diverse Tavern crew! I came up with 4 questions for the crew and here are the answers I got. Let’s get to it :
What player are you happiest to see has earned his ticket to Qatar?
Michael : I hesitate to pick Kangin because he's almost too obvious of a choice, though I will admit my heart raced during the press conference when the midfield was being announced. However, after all that, I am going to select Song Bumkeun. I don't think that Song will get any minutes in Qatar. However, he goes to Qatar as the No. 3 goalkeeper over an older and more experienced Gu Sungyun. In addition, Song's contract with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC in the K League 1 expires at the end of 2022. What if he somehow leverages this addition of World Cup experience to his CV as a way to sign a Bosman free agent deal with a European club? Going into the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted in Korea, he was getting great reviews for his play and had some European scouts looking to sign him straight out of Korea University. After the tournament though, he elected to play out his college career and signed up with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors for the 2018 season. If adding World Cup experience to a CV that includes 4 K League 1 titles, 2 Korean FA Cup wins, a gold medal + military exemption at the 2018 Asian Games, and the 2020 AFC U23 Asian Cup title is what earns him a move to Europe I will be happy for him. Korea has never had a national team goalkeeper playing in Europe and I hope that Song gets the chance soon.
PJ : Obviously biased here, but Kangin would be my pick. I know his minutes will be limited to possibly non-existent, but I believe even just experiencing this World Cup will be a huge plus for him. Being able to witness this World Cup first hand and, more importantly, being able to get closer and build chemistry with his Korean teammates I think will be key for the post-Bento era.
Kevin Kim : Kangin - Well deserved and even on the most stringent standards, Kangin deserves a seat on the plane. He's been starting in La Liga with five goal contributions in 14 matches, and halfway through the season leads in assists for Mallorca, who are currently mid-table after finishing 16th last year. Aguirre has mentioned Kang-in as the most talented player in their squad (https://www.laliga.com/en-GB/news/reborn-kang-in-lee-emerges-to-prominence), and Mallorca has been rewarded in how they utilize him. There is no reason why Korea should not be benefitting similarly from his ability.
Namu Yoon : Kangin obviously, the man deserves it; just a couple months ago, it looked very much like Kangin was not going to be invited on the plane, based on the 18 months he had been excluded while playing in a top 2-3 league in the world. Kangin earned himself a POTM nomination, but let’s not forget this is a FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball winner, and a player who looked to be the most dangerous attacking option for us in a World Cup Qualifier just 2-3 years ago.
I am happy that he has worked on his defense and stamina, and I hope he keeps his head down and works his ass off, because there’s a long illustrious career waiting to be played if he works hard. We’re so happy he gets this World Cup experience, let’s hope he’s a good roster presence overall, whether he plays or not.
Albert Kim : I’m happy that Lee Kangin has earned a call-up to the World Cup because he will relish the experience even if he’s sitting on the bench. Also, if Korea falters in their first game, the public pressure on Bento to play the kid will reach a crescendo. The best managers fit the best players into their system.
Allen Park : I'm happy that after tragic injuries just before the two last World Cups, Kim Jinsu has finally made the roster. He is still battling injury, but it seems that he will be ready to play by the Uruguay match. In the past, I didn't like his play style, but I have become a fan watching him as the Jeonbuk Captain and starting left back for the KNT. I really hope that he is in match-fit condition by the first match, because worst case scenario, a premature comeback will be exploited by opponents and make Jinsu the center of attack by the Korean media, which would be so unfair for a partially injured player.
Which selection by Bento surprised you the most and why?
Michael : Song Mingyu. I thought that Um Wonsang was ahead of him on the depth chart. He did really turn my head with his performance against Iceland, turning in an all-action display as a secondary striker with Cho Guesung and grabbing his first ever international goal to win the match.
PJ : Paik Seungho. A solid player across the board; but, besides good set piece taking, I don't think he brings us anything in particular. I would have
loved to bring another "spark" player like Lee Seungwoo, Um Wonsang, or Yang Hyunjun.
Kevin : Na Sangho. As a winger, he provides nothing that our attacking options don't already possess, and an option like Um Wonsang would have felt like a more worthwhile gamble. Although Sangho's call up is not a surprise in the sense that he's one of Bento's favorites, it is an unwelcome surprise to see just how rigid Bento can be as we go into Qatar.
Namu : I think we all felt a slight sense of relief that we did see Kangin’s name, as to be perfectly honest with you, those 18 months were long. But beyond that, I think I was surprised that Song Minkyu came back into the squad this month after he was someone I feel like we hadn’t seen in a previous international window or two.
Albert : I honestly wasn’t surprised at any of the selections except for Song Min-kyu. Despite what Bento has said, I think his pick of Song was reactionary. There are multiple wingers that had a good case to make the squad over him. A decent performance against an awful Iceland team should not have been a tipping point. He probably won’t play at all so this gripe might be moot.
Allen : My biggest surprise is the 27th member of the World Cup roster, Oh Hyeongyu. Although he is not technically on the roster, he will be flying to Qatar and be the first player to sub into the roster if any players have to be replaced. Bento generally likes to observe players for some time before putting them in game, but it seems he has made an exception to Oh - after just one substitute experience, Oh has beaten players like Um Wonsang and Yang Hyunjoon to fly to Qatar with the rest of the official roster.
Is there a player left off the squad that you are most upset about?
Michael : Um Wonsang. I thought that this guy was the "spark" player that could make a name for himself in Qatar. All season for Ulsan Hyundai, he came up with clutch goals and assists that won them the K League 1 title. I like his speed, his tenacity in and around the penalty box, and his finishing ability. However, he is still young so I hope to see more of him in a KNT shirt in the coming years.
PJ : Hong Hyunseok. Not because he deserves to be there, but he never got a chance to show Bento what he could do. I think he deserved a call up in September so that Bento could get a feel of what kind of player he is and if he fits into his system. If he showed out, he could have replaced Paik, especially with his recent form.
Kevin : Not really. Our fullbacks are weak and there are no standouts that haven't been called up. Hong Hyunseok at Gent would have been great to see considering he's starting, scoring, and growing into a special talent in Gent, a first-division Belgian team in the knock-out stages of the Europa Conference League. But, a call-up for him would be so out of the mold to how Bento has been building our national team that his mentioning is moot. We're also most well equipped in midfield. In the future, it wouldn't be surprising to see him in the national team picture.
Namu : I would say I’m slightly upset that Lee Yong was left out, as his defense is super solid, even if his ball control leaves a bit to be desired. I really like Yoon Jonggyu’s attacking play, but all 3 of our RB’s have defensive issues, so seeing a solid veteran experienced RB being left out makes me a bit hesitant.
Defending at fullback is a skill and a trait (I’m a bit biased as I’ve been a dogged RB since my high school days), with concentration, physicality, and positioning all key, and I think Lee Yong edges out our 3 RBs in those aspects.
Albert : Lee Seungwoo deserved to be on the plane. Not only does he have tournament experience, but his ability to play any frontline position makes him an asset. People forget that the combination of Son Heungmin, Hwang Uijo, and Lee Seungwoo was deadly at the 2018 Asian Games. None of our wingers besides Hwang Heechan are particularly good dribblers and Lee’s willingness to attack defenders one-on-one could be sorely missed.
Allen : The player I am most upset was left off the roster was Um Wonsang. I think he showed both at the K League and international levels that he is a capable player. In a World Cup match where one counterattack goal can make or break Korea making the Round of 16, I thought that he could have been an amazing second half sub. I am very curious why he didn't even get an opportunity to play in the Iceland match.
Name 1 player you're excited to watch in Qatar and 1 you're worried about.
Michael : I am excited to watch Son Heungmin in Qatar. He has an improved squad around him compared to his 2014 and 2018 appearances at the World Cup. He's also probably playing for the best national team coach he's ever had at the World Cup, as Paulo Bento has worked hard over 4 years to make this team improve and prepared for the World Cup. I hope he is healthy enough to grab some "wow" moments in Qatar. The one player I am worried about is Kim Jinsu. He has said many times during the 2022 K League 1 season that he is struggling with injury because of a congested club schedule. He missed out on the 2014 and 2018 World Cups through injury and he has finally been named to a World Cup squad. However, we now know he hasn't trained with the full squad at the national team camp in Paju. Instead, he's been doing individual recovery sessions in a race to get back to full fitness. That's worrying, since he worked so hard to cement his role in the national team and helped Jeonbuk Hyundai win the FA Cup this year.
PJ : I'm most excited about Kim Minjae. We've never had this type of quality from the centerback position and I'm super interested to see his quality
showcased at the World Cup. As far as concerns, it's two players. Sonny and Kim Jinsu, as both have been struggling with health and both are necessities at their respective positions.
Kevin : I'm excited to watch Kim Minjae. He's an open secret now considering his part in Napoli's impressive rebuild and resurgence, and he's a quintessential staple right next to Sonny on our team sheet. Defensive concerns have been ever-present in Korea's recent World Cup participations, and although in this cycle we have them in our fullbacks, Kim Minjae will hopefully be a breath of fresh air especially considering his familiar partnership with Kim Younggwon in the back.
On the flipside, it will be stressful to watch Hwang Uijo. Like Na Sangho, it is no surprise to see Uijo, and despite his relegation to Olympiacos' 2nd team with 142 out of 1170 minutes played for his newly signed club, all signs indicate that we will be viewing a streakier version of himself. Sometimes that involves off-color first touches reminiscent of a Sunday league game. Usually, it involves a scuffing of 1 or 2 golden opportunities. At his best, Ui-jo can provide a delicious curler or a smart finish, but considering his history as a streaky player with fortunes reliant on form, his name isn't exactly one that provides excitement off the team sheet.
Namu : I am so excited to see (I’m biased a bit again but I try not to let my biases hinder my judgments) my fellow Son of Daejeon Hwang Inbeom ball out at the biggest stage. He is definitely gonna move to a Big 5 league after this tournament; Daejeon’s in the house yo.
Among our starters, I’ve been probably the most adamant within the Tavern crew about the importance of the defensive shithousery that Jung Wooyoung senior brings to the table, but even I am worried about his ball control and passing when facing a persistently furious press Brazil-style from say Uruguay. He knows he has to 1-touch if he needs to and he needs to stay calm, but if he can’t do it, then Jaesung and Inbeom and our CBs have to talk to him as much as possible and support him. And yes, Son Junho will be waiting to take his spot. We know Junho can pass the ball, but I don’t know if he can do the defensive physicality that JWY Sr brings.
Albert : I am excited to see how Kim Seunggyu performs in Qatar. He has been waiting for this chance for a long time. Kim was excellent in the last group stage match against Belgium in 2014 and was quite unlucky when Shin Taeyong dropped him at the last minute in Russia.
I am worried about how Lee Jaesung and Hwang Inbeom will perform at this tournament. Lee and Hwang are not good enough to carry an attack, but there is a real possibility one of them will be asked to be Korea’s main creative outlet in midfield.
Allen : I'm excited to watch Kim Minjae. I want this World Cup to be a showcase for him that solidifies him as a world-class CB. He has shown no sign of slowing down in Napoli, and his presence gives me faith in the Korean defense. Simultaneously, however, I am worried about his partner, Kim Younggwon. His performance in 2018 was inspirational, but I'm not sure whether he will be able to show the same passion and physicality this time around.
Do you agree or disagree with our thoughts on this squad? Take a crack at the 4 questions I asked in the comments below!
One of you guys say “like” a lot in the podcast. It takes way from your prose. Distracting really.