FIFA World Cup 2022: Korea Republic Most Promising Players to Watch

For this year’s tournament in Qatar, Korea will be looking to build on the momentum they gained at the previous World Cup. One of the biggest surprises during the last game in Russia was the top Asian team’s 2-0 victory over Germany in a group-stage match. They were able to get past the 2014 World Champions and finish third in their group, thanks to their victory. Even though they were eliminated in the group stage, this victory is still one of their favorites. They’ll be looking to repeat that success in Qatar.

Son Heungmin

Position: Forward

Age: 30

Son Heungmin will compete in his third World Cup after previous appearances in Brazil (2014) and Russia (2018). Son has emerged as one of the league’s top players in recent seasons for Tottenham Hotspur, and his efforts have helped the team reach the UEFA Champions League final this year.

Group H features Korea Republic, Portugal, Ghana, and Uruguay, so they’ll need their talisman to advance to the top of their game.

Hwang Uijo

Position: Forward

Age: 30

The 26-year-old striker has scored 15 goals for J-League team Gamba Osaka in six straight games. As a wild card at the Asian Games in September, Uijo helped the Korea Republic win gold by scoring nine goals in seven games. He was the tournament’s leading scorer. This month, he scored in a 2-1 friendly win against Uruguay. The attacker is still establishing himself in Korea Republic’s first squad with only two goals, so he’ll be eager to make his imprint against the Socceroos.

Kim Minjae 

Position: Centre-back

Age: 25

Napoli has hardly noticed the loss of Kalidou Koulibaly, one of Serie A’s top center-backs, to Chelsea thanks to their shrewd signing of Kim Min-Jae.In just his second month in Italy, Kim was voted Serie A’s Player of the Month in September. He missed the World Cup four years ago due to injuries.

At 1.9 meters tall and with an imposing frame, the 25-year-old can hold his own against Ronaldo and Luis Suarez, which could make for some gripping one-on-one duels.

Hwang Inbeom

Position: Central midfielder

Age: 26

Hwang is a dynamic player who can generate scoring chances like a No10, ceaselessly work like a No8, or sit in front of the backline to give stability like a No6. He’s key to Bento’s technique of dominating possession in midfield to develop a play. After his dream move to Europe failed in 2019, he opted for the MLS team Vancouver Whitecaps, which confused some supporters.

Bento never lost faith in Hwang. Even before the Qatar 2022 qualifiers began in 2019, when the media questioned Hwang’s talents, Bento said, “It’s evident why Hwang receives the call-up. He has all the attributes a modern, flexible midfielder need. He knows what to do in every assault or transition to defense.”

Bento saw something of the player he used to be as a tireless midfielder for Sporting CP and Portugal in Hwang. Hwang made his European competition debut with Rubin Kazan last season. This season, he joined Greek giants Olympiacos and has played in Europa League group matches.

Jung Wooyoung 

Position: Holding midfielder

Age: 32

Under Bento, Korea Republic moves the ball side to side to enjoy possession before attacking. This method has limitations, especially if done improperly.

Son Heungmin and Hwang Uijo can get trapped in the middle when Korea’s full backs send predictable and defendable crosses. In the first two games in the Asian qualification for Qatar 2022, the team scored 25 crosses against Iraq and 36 against Lebanon while struggling to create many chances. Jung was absent for both games.

When Jung returned, he gave his squad better direction and distribution as they built from the back. After Jung was restored, Korea Republic’s cross attempts dropped to 18.6 per game.

While he’s a defensive midfielder, he’s not a physically dominant player. Bento uses a high-pressing game to combat Jung’s diminishing agility and pace.

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