The penultimate international break of the 2023 K League season is upon us. South Korea have two friendlies in the United Kingdom; Wales in Cardiff, and then Saudi Arabia in Newcastle, and there is also a handful of K Leauge's European stars involved in UEFA Euro qualifiers.
Wales vs. South Korea
Jurgen Klinsmann has called up 11 K League-based players for his South Korea national team squad ahead of the friendlies with Wales in Cardiff on Thursday and Saudi Arabia in Newcastle on Tuesday. Ulsan are the most-represented team with five players called up, followed by Jeonbuk with two. There are first call-ups for Lee Soon-min and Kim Jun-hong while Kim Ju-sung, Seol Young-woo, and Ahn Hyun-beom will be looking to add to their one solitary cap.
Korea are looking for a first win under new manager Jurgen Klinsmann having drawn two and lost two so far, taking on Wales for the first time ever. The game will take place at Cardiff City Stadium and kicks off at 03:45 AM on Friday 8th September KST, or 7:45 AM on Thursday 7th local time.
Saudi Arabia vs. South Korea
After Wales in Cardiff, South Korea take on Saudi Arabia at Newcastle United's St. James' Park on . Over the last seven meetings, dating back to 2005, Korea have played Saudi Arabia seven times, winning two, drawing three, and losing two. The most recent meeting came in 2019, a 0-0 draw in Abu Dhabi. Korea's last win was in 2015, winning 2-0 in Parramatta. The Taeguk Warriors' last defeat to Saudi Arabia dates back to March 2005, a 2-0 loss in Dammam.
K League Call-ups
Jo Hyeon-woo, Ulsan Hyundai
Kim Jun-hong, Gimcheon Sangmu
Kim Young-gwon, Ulsan Hyundai
Jung Seung-hyun, Ulsan Hyundai
Lee Ki-je, Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Ahn Hyun-beom, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Kim Ju-sung, FC Seoul
Seol Young-woo, Ulsan Hyundai
Moon Seon-min, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Lee Soon-min, Gwangju FC
Lee Dong-gyeong, Ulsan Hyundai
South Korea U23 Squad
AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification kicked off on Wednesday and South Korea took on Qatar. No fewer than 20 players of Hwang Sun-hong's 23-man squad are on the books of K League teams. Up next is Kyrgyzstan this Saturday at 8:00 PM KST and then Myanmar on Tuesday 12th at 8:00 PM.
K League Call-ups
Baek Jong-beom, FC Seoul
Kim Jeong-hoon, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Shin Song-hoon, Gimcheon Sangmu
Lee Sang-hyeok, Gimpo FC
Cho Sung-gwon, Gimpo FC
Cho Hyun-taek, Ulsan Hyundai
Cho Wi-je, Busan IPark
Min Kyeong-hyeon, Incheon United
Lee Tae-seok, FC Seoul
Seo Myung-gwan, Bucheon FC 1995
Park Chang-woo, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Kang Hyun-muk, Gimcheon Sangmu
Lee Jin-yong, Daegu FC
Paik Sang-hoon, FC Seoul
Hong Yun-sang, Pohang Steelers
Eom Ji-sung, Gwangju FC
Oh Jae-hyeok, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeon Byeong-kwan, Daejeon Hana Citizen
Heo Yool, Gwangju FC
Kim Sin-jin, FC Seoul
Martin Ádám, Hungary
Ulsan Hyundai striker Martin Adam has been called up to the Hungary squad to take on Serbia in a Euro qualifier on Thursday and then the Czech Republic in a friendly on Sunday. Hungary are in good form, having gone unbeaten in their last six matches with four wins and two draws. They sit top of Group G and Thursday's clash with Serbia is one between first and second with only goal difference separating the two teams.
Anton Kryvotsyuk, Azerbaijan
Daejeon Hana Citizen defender Anton Kryvotsyuk is part of the Azerbaijan squad that will take on Belgium this Saturday in a Euro qualifier and Jordan in a friendly on Wednesday 13th September, both at home.
The Milli komanda sit bottom of their group with one point from three games played thus far and so will be determined to get their qualification campaign on track. Belgium are second in the group with two wins and one draw. Anton has made 30 caps for his country, scoring once and has featured in each of Azerbaijan's last five matches.
Stefan Mugoša, Montenegro
Incheon United striker Stefan Mugoša is part of the Montenegro side that will be looking for a first win in four when the Brave Falcons head to Lithuania for a Euro qualifier this Thursday. Montenegro sit third in the group behind Hungary and Serbia and take on a Lithuania side that has just one point from three matches thus far. On Sunday, Mugoša and company then host Bulgaria for another crucial Euro qualifier. Mugoša has is looking to make his 50th cap for Montenegro and to add to his 15 goals.
Jasir Asani, Albania
Gwangju FC winger Jasir Asani has been called up to the Albania squad that will take on the Czech Republic and Poland in two Euro qualifiers. First up is a trip to Prague this Thursday with the goal of making it three qualification wins on the spin before Poland visit Tirana on Sunday.
Asnawi Mangkualam, Indonesia
Jeonnam Dragons wingback Asnawi Mangkualam has been called up to Shin Tae-yong's Indonesia national team squad that will take on Turkmenistan this Friday in a friendly. Indonesia are on a run of just one win in five and so will be looking to get back on track before World Cup qualification begins in October.
K League Internationals September Fixtures
South Korea U23 vs. Oman U23, Wednesday 6th September - 20:00 KST
Lithuania vs. Montenegro, Friday 8th September - 01:00 KST
Wales vs. South Korea, Friday 8th September - 03:45 AM KST
Czech Republic vs. Albania, Friday 8th September - 03:45 AM KST
Serbia vs. Hungary, Friday 8th September 03:45 AM KST
Indonesia vs. Turkmenistan, Friday 8th September - 9:30 PM KST
South Korea U23 vs Kyrgyzstan U23, Saturday 9th September - 8:00 PM KST
Azerbaijan vs. Belgium, Saturday 9th September 10:00 PM KST
Hungary vs. Czech Republic, Monday 11th September - 01:00 AM KST
Montenegro vs. Bulgaria, Monday 11th September - 01:00 AM KST
Albania vs. Poland, Monday 11th September - 03:45 AM KST
South Korea U23 vs. Myanmar U23, Tuesday 12th September 8:00 PM KST
Azerbaijan vs. Jordan, Wednesday 13th September 01:00 AM KST
Saudi Arabia vs. South Korea, Wednesday 13th September - 01:30 AM KST
