South Korea’s national football team settled into their Milton Keynes base in England after completing the first of two March international friendlies against African powerhouse Cote d’Ivoire on March 24 (KST).
Squad Reunites in UK
Coach Hong Myung-bo, along with domestic players such as captain Park Jin-seop, Kim Sung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Song Beom-keun, Kim Jin-gyu (both Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), and Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen), endured a 14-hour flight before heading to the team hotel, located 80 kilometers from London.
Major overseas talents including Son Heung-min (LAFC), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), and Oh Hyun-gyu (Besiktas) linked up directly on site. The players, reuniting after roughly four months since the November internationals, shared warm greetings in high spirits.
Injury Monitoring Underway
The squad anticipates full participation in both friendlies under Hong’s guidance. Officials are closely tracking midfielder Yanus Castrop (Borussia Monchengladbach), who picked up an injury in his club’s match against Koln on March 22. Despite a recent goal contribution, the team expects to evaluate Castrop as a potential wingback during this camp.
Lee Kang-in emerged unscathed from a concerning moment. During PSG’s March 22 clash with Nantes, he absorbed a heavy challenge to his Achilles tendon from midfielder Yusupu Endaisi Simeye in the 14th minute of the second half while assisting on the equalizer. VAR review credited the goal to Usman Dembele, but officials confirm no significant issues with Lee Kang-in’s ankle status.
Cottbus Clash Looms
Hong Myung-bo revealed lineup plans in a March 28 interview at Stadium MK, positioning Lee Kang-in centrally against Energie Cottbus. This matchup revives a rivalry dormant for 16 years, since South Korea’s 2-0 win in London during March 2010, shortly after their World Cup runner-up finish.
Cottbus sits 37th in FIFA rankings, trailing South Korea’s 22nd position by 15 spots. Standout opponents include winger Amadu Diallo, forward Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal), and midfielder Frank Kessie (Al-Ahli).
Following the Cottbus friendly, the team travels to Vienna, Austria, for an April 1 encounter at Ernst Happel Stadium against a simulated European playoff winner from Group D.
