Newly-formed U-24 squad begin Asiad preparations

The U-24 national team, who are looking to win Korea's third consecutive gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in September, finished a three-day training session at the Paju National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi on Wednesday.

The U-24 national team trains at the Paju National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi, on Monday. [NEWS1]

The U-24 national team, who are looking to win Korea's third consecutive gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in September, finished a three-day training session at the Paju National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi on Wednesday.

U-24 squad manager Hwang Sun-hong called up 27 players on Monday — all from the K League — for three days of training in preparation for the upcoming Asian Games. Some of that squad will head to Hangzhou, China, alongside any players based outside of Korea and three wildcard picks that Hwang will announce with the final team.

The competition for winger spots is perhaps the most competitive as the U-24 squad includes the likes of Song Min-kyu of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Goh Young-jun of the Pohang Steelers and Um Won-sang of Ulsan Hyundai, who all have senior squad caps.

“Displaying a good performance in the league and having competitiveness with their teams is the road to the Asian Games,” Hwang said during an interview before training on Monday. “We are a little worried about a forward position. We are considering wildcard options and other alternatives because players based overseas have a problem leaving their clubs.”

Hwang Sun-hong coaches the U-24 squad during the team's training at the Paju National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi on Monday. [YONHAP]

Lee Kang-in of Mallorca, who has been in remarkable form this season with six goals and five assists in La Liga, did not join training as the Spanish football league is yet to finish.

The 22-year-old will most likely head to the Asian Games, not only because he is a prominent player, but because it is his chance to earn a military service exemption, assuming Korea wins a gold medal.

“He has been playing as a winger and he has been much better than before,” Hwang said. “Since there is spare time during training in September, I will talk with him and find a position for him to play in that he likes and does well at.”

Although the Mallorca midfielder’s spot in the Asiad squad looks secure, Goh is confident that he will be able to have a place in the team too.

Goh Young-jun speaks to reporters at the Paju National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi on Tuesday. [NEWS1]

“I have to show a good performance over the next few months to prove I'm competitive,” Goh said Tuesday. “Kang-in’s position overlaps with mine, but that does not mean that I won’t be able to play. Doing my best in my position is what I need to do.”

Goh is an agile player, whose main role at the Steelers is to break through the defense with long runs.

“[Hwang] values the pace and that is similar to what I am expected to do at the Steelers,” Goh said. “I think he will consider me a good player if I improve my style of play.”

Korea has been the most successful side at the recent Asian Games, earning two consecutive gold medals in 2014 and 2018.

Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur was exempt from his military service duty after winning a gold in the 2018 final against Japan.

The military service exemption is not the main purpose of competing in the Asiad, but it could act as a huge motivation for the young Taeguk Warriors.

“There is obviously personal motivation,” Lee Jae-ik of Seoul E-Land said. “The event is an opportunity to display myself again on the Asian Stage.

“It is obviously a pressure if I think that a gold medal is the only option, but I have to overcome that kind of pressure in order to be a member of the Asiad squad.”

Despite Korea’s recent success in the Asian Games, Hwang is wary of the competitors.

“There are some strong teams,” Hwang said. “Uzbekistan, Japan and the Middle Eastern teams like Saudi Arabia are strong. Southeast Asian countries’ improvements are also visible.

“But we will be sufficient if we prepare well in our own way.”

Ulsan midfielder Um, 24, also appears to be on the same page.

Um Won-sang speaks to reporters at the Paju National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi on Monday. [YONHAP]

“It is true that Korea are a strong team in Asia,” Um said. “It is good that we are having that pressure that comes from that fact. It is a big duty to challenge for a gold like our predecessors.

“I think we might have good results if we enjoy it as players like we did at the U-20 World Cup, rather than feeling the pressure.”

Whether Um will lead the U-24 side remains to be seen as the current squad might see some changes before the Asian Games.

The midfielders in the current squad along with Um, Goh and Song are Go Jae-hyeon of Daegu FC, Kwon Hyeok-kyu of Busan I Park, Kim Bong-soo of Jeju United, An Jae-jun of Bucheon FC 1995, Yang Hyun-jun of Gangwon FC, Eom Ji-sung and Jeong Ho-yeon of Gwangju FC and Lee Soo-bin of Jeonbuk.

Over in defense, Kim Ryun-seong of Gimcheon Sangmu is joined by Byeon Jun-soo of Daejeon Hana Citizen, Lee Sang-min of Seongnam FC, Lee Jae-ik of Seoul E-Land, Cho Sung-gwon of Gimpo FC, Cho Wi-je and Choi Jun of Busan I Park, Cho Hyun-taek of Ulsan and Hwang Jae-won of Daegu FC.

The three goalkeepers in the squad are Go Dong-min of Gyeongnam FC, Min Seong-jun of Incheon United and Lee Gwang-yeon of Gangwon FC.

The three forwards currently — although that might change due to wildcard players — are Park Jae-yong of FC Anyang, Cho Young-wook of Gimcheon Sangmu and Cheon Seong-hoon of Incheon United.

The young Taeguk Warriors have had more time to prepare for the upcoming Asian Games, as the tournament was postponed for a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The postponement allowed the Asian Games organizing committee to raise the age limit for the upcoming Asiad squad to 24 as opposed to 23 in previous events.

The U-24 squad will play two friendlies overseas after the European football season ends in June, with the venues and opponents yet to be announced.

Hwang will announce the final squad for the Asian Games shortly before the event starts in September.

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