Korean squad in 'good form' ahead of U-20 World Cup

Korea’s U-20 World Cup journey beings Monday in Argentina, with the young Taeguk Warriors looking to win the country’s first title after narrowly missing out in 2019.

The U-20 naitonal team poses for a photo during a media day at the Paju National Football Center in Paju, Gyeonggi on May 7. [NEWS1]

Korea’s U-20 World Cup journey begins Monday in Argentina, with the young Taeguk Warriors looking to win the country’s first title after narrowly missing out in 2019.

Korea will compete among 24 nations and will face France, Honduras and Gambia in Group F.

The young Taeguk Warriors headed to Argentina on Thursday after 10 days of pre-tournament training in Brazil, which U-20 squad manager Kim Eun-jung held to help the team adapt to a different time zone and climate.

“Fortunately, the climates in the two countries are pretty similar, and the players should have little trouble with their adjustments in Argentina,” Kim said during an interview shared by the Korea Football Association (KFA) on Thursday. “The players are in good form, and I will make sure they will be in top physical condition on match days.”

Korea arrive at this year's World Cup having finished second four years ago.

The 2019 team led by Lee Kang-in reached the final for the first time, but lost the match to Ukraine. Lee scored two goals and won the Golden Ball.

This year’s World Cup squad includes the 16 players that competed in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup in March and reached the semifinals.

Kang Seong-jin, who led the team’s attack at the Asian Cup, is expected to again play a key role.

“I know the players that played alongside me well, and I also know the ones that joined this time,” Kang said. “The players I met for the first time also understand the coach’s intentions well.

“This is the stage that I’ve dreamt of playing on, and I am going to do my best and enjoy the competition.”

Korea’s first game against France starts at 3 p.m. on Monday at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.

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