What has long been clear for FC Bayern is now a certainty: South Korea’s national coach Jürgen Klinsmann has called up Min-Jae Kim for the Asian Cup. But the leader is still Heung-Min Son
Munich defender Kim and Son, the Tottenham Hotspur attacker, are the two most prominent players that former DFB team boss Klinsmann has named in his 26-man squad for the Asian continental championship (January 12 to February 10).
In addition to Kim, Jae-Sung Lee from 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Stuttgart’s Woo-Yeong Jeong from the Bundesliga will also be in the squad for the tournament in Qatar when they face Bahrain in the opening match on January 15.
The goal for the South Koreans is clearly defined – after a 64-year wait, they want to win the title again this time. “It’s about time,” said the 1990 world champion, who has been in charge of the team since the end of February this year. At that time, he took over from Paulo Bento.
“64 years – that’s a very long time for South Korea. It’s all about timing, I’m convinced that we’re ready for this big, big challenge,” said Klinsmann, describing his team as “one of the favorites”. Now it’s a matter of “fine-tuning, then we’ll start the tournament with confidence.”
South Korea face Malaysia and Jordan in Group E alongside Bahrain. “I have a good feeling, the players are doing well at their clubs,” said the former striker optimistically.
South Korea’s squad at a glance
Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu (Al Shabab/KSA), Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan), Song Bum-keun (Shonan Bellmare/JPN)
Defense: Kim Young-gwon (Ulsan), Min-jae Kim (Bayern Munich/GER), Jung Seung-hyun (Ulsan), Kim Ju-sung (FC Seoul), Kim Ji-soo (Brentford/ENG), Seol Young-woo (Ulsan), Kim Tae-hwan (Ulsan), Lee Ki-je (Suwon), Kim Jin-su (Jeonbuk)
Midfield: Park Yong-woo (Al Ain/UAE), Hwang In-beom (Red Star Belgrade/SRB), Hong Hyun-seok (Gent/BEL), Lee Soon-min (Gwangju), Jae-Sung Lee (Mainz/GER), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Heung-Min Son (Tottenham/ENG), Woo-Yeong Jeong (Stuttgart/GER), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves/ENG), Moon Seon-min (Jeonbuk), Park Jin-seop (Jeonbuk), Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic/SCO)
Attack: Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland/DEN), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Celtic/SCO)
