Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Ryu Seung-woo will be the star name for Korea Republic at the 2016 AFC Under-23 Championship in Qatar after coach Shin Tae-yong confirmed his 23-man squad.
Ryu, one of the brightest stars in South Korean football who has been on the books of German side Bayer Leverkusen since 2014, was one of two European-based players named along with striker Hwang Hee-chan, who currently plies his trade in Austria with Red Bull Salzburg.
Apart from the duo, three other players currently playing overseas in Japan were also selected by Shin in Consadole Sapporo goalkeeper Lee Chang-keun, Mito Hollyhock defender Song Ju-hun and attacker Yu In-soo, who recently joined FC Tokyo from Kwangwoon University.
Korea Republic will head into next month’s tournament as one of the favourites and they certainly look in with a good chance of delivering on their promise, given the quality at Shin’s disposal.
Kim Seung-jun and Moon Chang-jin of Ulsan Hyundai and Pohang Steelers respectively, who both starred for them in the qualifiers, will be expected to play key roles, as will FC Seoul defender Sim Sang-min.
A total of ten players that will feature were part of the Korea Republic side that won the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship, including Ryu, Moon and Kim.
The South Koreans, who have been drawn in Group C, kick off their campaign against Uzbekistan on January 13, before taking on Yemen three days later and finishing off with an enticing clash against defending champions Iraq on January 13.
Goalkeepers: Lee Chang-keun (Busan IPark), Kim Dong-jun (Yonsei University), Gu Sung-yun (Consadole Sapporo)
Defenders: Sim Sang-min (FC Seoul), Yeon Jei-min (Suwon Bluewings), Song Ju-hun (Mito Hollyhock), Lee Seul-chan (Jeonnam Dragons), Jung Seung-hyun (Ulsan Hyundai), Hwang Ki-wook (Yonsei University), Goo Hyeong-joon (Busan IPark), Park Dong-jin (Gwangju FC)
Midfielders: Lee Yeong-jae, Kim Seung-jun (both Ulsan Hyundai), Kwon Chang-hoon (Suwon Bluewings), Park Yong-woo (FC Seoul), Yu In-soo (FC Tokyo), Lee Chang-min (Jeonnam Dragons), Kang Sang-woo, Moon Chang-jin (both Pohang Steelers), Ryu Seung-woo (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Kim Hyun (Jeju United), Hwang Hee-chan (Red Bull Salzburg), Jin Sung-wook (Incheon United)
Photo: AFP