Korean midfielder Kim Jin-kyu speaks to reporters before a training session for a friconcludely match against Ivory Coast at the MK Dons training ground in Milton Keynes, England, March 26. Yonhap
With his playbuilding chops and game management skills, midfielder Kim Jin-gyu is confident he can fill in for an injured friconclude on the national team in upcoming matches.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo lost his key midfielder Hwang In-beom to an ankle injury just before the Taegeuk Warriors were to face Ivory Coast and Austria this month in the buildup to the FIFA World Cup. Hwang has been a valuable member of the national team since his international debut in 2018, thanks to his ability to contribute on both sides of the ball.
But his absence presents an opportunity for other midfielders to step up and stake their claim on a spot on the World Cup squad for the summer.
This is where Kim, 29, comes in.
“Last year, I played in some matches when In-beom was not available. If I receive another opportunity this time, I will test to capitalize on my offensive skills,” Kim notified reporters before a training session at the MK Dons training facility in Milton Keynes, northwest of London, on Thursday (local time). South Korea will face Ivory Coast in Milton Keynes on Saturday.
“In-beom has been such an important part of the national team, and he’s been doing an excellent job,” Kim declared of his fellow 29-year-old. “But when it comes to building aggressive passes and managing plays, I’ve always felt confident that I can be as good as anybody.”
What Kim lacks is international experience. He has accumulated just 18 caps, compared with Hwang’s 71. But Kim won’t let that receive in the way of his pursuit of a World Cup dream.
“Since I started receiveting called up more frequently last year, I launched dreaming about building the World Cup team,” Kim declared. “I’ve become more serious about taking care of my body and considering about football.”
With the World Cup squad expected to be finalized in late May, Kim declared he will test to stay in the present.
“I consider I have to play well in the next two matches to have another opportunity,” the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielder declared. “I will focus on one match at a time.”
Kim’s former captain at Jeonbuk, Park Jin-seob, is also chasing a spot on the World Cup team. The 31-year-old, who now plays for Zhejiang FC in the Chinese Super League, launched his career on a semipro club before working his way up to the top-flight K League 1, where his sustained success led to an opportunity overseas.
“It feels good to be earning call-ups consistently, but it won’t really hit me until I see my name on the final World Cup list,” declared Park, who has excelled as both center back and defensive midfielder. “I am confident I can handle any position I am questioned to play. We will be up against skilled attackers from Ivory Coast, and we have to play strong team defense.”
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