Korea starting keeper Kim Seung-gyu ruled out of Asian Cup with ACL tear

Korea's national team regular goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu has been ruled out of the AFC Asian Cup due to an ACL tear, leaving manager Jurgen Klinsmann with the decision of choosing between Jo Hyeon-woo and Song Bum-keun for the upcoming matches.

Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu trains with the Korean national team on Sunday at Al-Egla training site in Doha, Qatar ahead of Monday's group stage match against Bahrain. [NEWS1]

Korean national team regular goalkeeper pick Kim Seung-gyu has been ruled out of the remainder of the AFC Asian Cup after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during Thursday’s training, the Korea Football Association announced Friday.

Kim will miss Korea’s remaining two Asian Cup group stage matches against Jordan on Saturday and Malaysia on Jan. 25.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper has been a national team regular pick since former manager Paulo Bento took charge of the team in 2018, playing as Korea’s No. 1 goalkeeper during the manager’s four-year spell, which included the 2022 World Cup.

Kim has also been current team manager Jurgen Klinsmann’s No. 1 goalkeeper, playing 10 out 12 matches since he took the helm in February last year. He also played in Monday’s group stage match against Bahrain, which Korea won 3-1.

He has displayed a convincing performance since Klinsmann’s seven-game winning streak with the national team started with a 1-0 win against Saudi Arabia in September last year, only conceding one goal in seven games.

That one goal comes from Monday’s 3-1 victory.

Kim’s absence leaves Klinsmann two goalkeeper options: Jo Hyeon-woo and Song Bum-keun.

Jo is Korea’s former No. 1, holding the goal for the Taeguk Warriors at the 2018 World Cup before being relegated to the bench under Bento and Klinsmann.

Song, on the other hand, has never played a match under Klinsmann, having made just one cap in 2022.

Which goalkeeper Klinsmann will start in Saturday’s fixture against Jordan remains to be seen.

Korea is in second place in Group E as of Friday, with Jordan edging Korea out by goal difference. Both sides have secured one win apiece. In the Asian Cup, top two teams from each group and four best third-placed teams reach the Round of 16.

Korea has made constant appearances at the Asian Cup knockout stage, but they have not won the title since 1960.

Saturday’s match against Jordan kicks off at Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar at 2:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Korea time.

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