Stripped-back Korean squad lose final friendly before U-23 Asian Cup

The U-23 Korean national team lost 1-0 to Saudi Arabia in a closed-door friendly on Tuesday, suffering a defeat in the final tune-up game ahead of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup that begins next week.

The U-23 Korean national team reacts after an AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifier against Myanmar at Changwon Football Center in Changwon, South Gyeongsang on Sept. 12, 2023. [NEWS1]

The U-23 Korean national team lost 1-0 to Saudi Arabia in a closed-door friendly on Tuesday, suffering a defeat in the final tune-up game ahead of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup that begins next week.

During the friendly that took place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where Korea had been training, the young Taeguk Warriors conceded the winner to Jihad Zakry in the 72nd minute.

The U-23 side’s loss to Saudi Arabia came after they beat the Middle Eastern side 1-0 in the semifinals of the West Asian Football Federation, where they went on to win the tournament as an invitee last month.

The U-23 squad are playing without midfielder Bae Jun-ho of Stoke City, who displayed a convincing performance against Saudi Arabia last month.

Bae was not released to join the U-23 team for the friendly or the upcoming Asian Cup, which falls outside of the FIFA international break schedule. Stoke City refused to release Bae as the team fights to avoid relegation in the final few games of the Championship season.

Stoke City's Bae Jun-ho cheers at Bet365 Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, England in a photo uploaded to Instagram. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Stoke sit in 19th place on the 24-team table as of press time Thursday. The bottom three teams face relegation to the third division next season.

With the Asian Cup starting next week and Stoke having yet to release Bae for the tournament, the 20-year-old will likely miss the competition.

Other Europe-based players like Celtic midfielder Yang Hyun-jun and Brentford defender Kim Ji-soo are also unable to join the U-23 team.

Celtic's Yang Hyun-jun controls the ball during a Champions League match against Lazio at Rome's Olympic stadium in Italy on Nov. 28, 2023. [AP/YONHAP]

Brentford’s call to not release Kim came despite the defender having yet to make his debut for the Premier League club since joining in June last year.

Kim Ji-soo, center, chases the ball during a U-20 World Cup match against Ecuador at Santiago del Estero Stadium in Argentina on June 1, 2023. [YONHAP]

U-23 team manager Hwang Sun-hong called up Incheon United midfielder Hong Si-hoo and Pohang Steelers versatile player Kim Dong-jin instead.

Minnesota United midfielder Jeong Sang-bin, meanwhile, will join the U-23 squad on April 15, a day before Korea play their first Asian Cup group stage game.

Jeong Sang-bin celebrates scoring a goal during a friendly against France at Stade Oceane in France on Nov. 20, 2023. [NEWS1]

The upcoming Asian Cup is crucial for Korea, as it is a Paris Olympic qualifying event in which the top three finishers earn direct tickets to the Games. The fourth-placed team has to play a playoff against Guinea to qualify for the Games.

The Asian Cup could be a tough challenge for Hwang, who won a gold medal with the U-23 squad at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, as Korea is in Group B with Japan, China and the UAE.

Korea will play their first group stage match against the UAE on April 16, followed by China on April 19 and the final game against age-old rivals Japan on April 22.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]