Milton keynes: Midfielder Kim Jin-gyu has expressed confidence in his ability to fill the gap left by the injured Hwang In-beom on the South Korean national team in the upcoming matches against Ivory Coast and Austria.
According to Yonhap News Agency, head coach Hong Myung-bo is facing a challenge with the loss of key midfielder Hwang In-beom to an ankle injury just before the team's important fixtures. Hwang has been an integral part of the national side since his debut in 2018, known for his dual contributions in defense and attack. His absence, however, opens the door for other midfielders like Kim Jin-gyu to prove their worth and vie for a spot on the World Cup squad this summer.
Kim, aged 29, is no stranger to stepping up in Hwang's absence, having done so last year. "If I get another opportunity this time, I will try to capitalize on my offensive skills," Kim stated during a pre-match training session at the MK Dons training facility. Kim acknowledged the importance of Hwang to the team, but also expressed confidence in his own playmaking and game management abilities.
Despite only having 18 international caps compared to Hwang's 71, Kim is determined not to let this disparity deter his World Cup aspirations. "Since I started getting called up more frequently last year, I began dreaming about making the World Cup team," he said, emphasizing his commitment to improving his physical condition and focus on football.
With the final World Cup squad set to be announced in late May, Kim remains focused on the immediate task at hand. "I think I have to play well in the next two matches to have another opportunity," he remarked, highlighting the importance of performing well in the upcoming games.
Joining Kim in the quest for a World Cup spot is Park Jin-seob, his former captain at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Now playing for Zhejiang FC in the Chinese Super League, Park has worked his way up from a semipro club to the top-flight K League 1, and hopes to see his name on the final World Cup list. Confident in his versatility, Park commented on the importance of strong team defense against skilled attackers from Ivory Coast.