Daejeon: With their midfield decimated by injuries, South Korea will rely on new players to fill the gaps in an upcoming friendly match against Bolivia. South Korea, ranked 22nd globally, is set to face 76th-ranked Bolivia at 8 p.m. on Friday at Daejeon World Cup Stadium, located approximately 140 kilometers south of Seoul. This match marks the first of two fixtures for the South Korean team during the final international window of the year, with the second match against Ghana scheduled for Tuesday at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's coach, Hong Myung-bo, will be managing the team without three crucial midfielders. Hwang In-beom from Feyenoord is sidelined for six to eight weeks due to a thigh injury. Hwang has been an integral part of the team, known for his defensive skills and ability to create scoring opportunities. Paik Seung-ho of Birmingham City, a potential replacement for Hwang, suffered a left shoulder injury during a club match and is also unavailable for the national team matches. Furthermore, Ulsan HD FC winger Lee Dong-gyeong sustained a rib injury on Sunday and was consequently removed from the national team roster.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) opted not to replace Hwang, but the injuries to Paik and Lee necessitated the addition of Seo Min-woo from Gangwon FC and Bae Jun-ho from Stoke City FC to the squad. Jens Castrop of Borussia Monchengladbach, who has appeared in three of South Korea's last four matches, may play a more significant role in the midfield. Coach Hong has commended Castrop's physical and spirited play, highlighting his contribution to the team. Additionally, Kim Jin-gyu from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, with 16 caps, is expected to provide more offensive options alongside Castrop.
On the offensive end, South Korea boasts several scoring threats, including Los Angeles Football Club star Son Heung-min and KRC Genk striker Oh Hyeon-gyu. FC Midtjylland forward Cho Gue-sung has rejoined the national team after recovering from a long injury and has shown promise since August. However, Coach Hong indicated that Cho might have limited participation during this window to manage expectations.
In the goalkeeping department, veterans Jo Hyeon-woo and Kim Seung-gyu have shared starting duties over the last four matches. Jo, who was the primary goalkeeper during the 2018 World Cup, regained his position after Kim's knee injury in the 2024 Asian Cup. Kim's return to the team in September has added complexity to the goalkeeping selection process.
South Korea and Bolivia last played in March 2019, with South Korea securing a 1-0 victory in a friendly match in the city of Ulsan.