It's the final World Cup dress rehearsal, but 'pass master' Hwang In-beom (30, Feyenoord) is absent.
A state of emergency has been declared for Hong Myung-bo's team with the CONCACAF World Cup only three months away.
Feyenoord faced Excelsior in the 27th round of the Eredivisie on the 15th (Korean time) at Stadion Feyenoord in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Hwang In-beom, who started, suffered an unexpected injury late in the first half. In the 41st minute of the first half, he collided with an opponent during a contest for the ball and took a blow to his leg. Hwang immediately fell to the ground, complained of severe pain, and medical staff rushed onto the field.
Ultimately it was judged that he could not continue the match. Hwang In-beom, supported by staff, limped off the field unable to put proper weight on his right foot. He grimaced heavily and could not hide his disappointment.
On the afternoon of the 16th, Hong Myung-bo announced the roster for the national team that will play two March A matches at Cheonan Korea Football Park. Injured Hwang In-beom was included on the roster for now. With Park Yong-woo, Won Du-jae and Baek Seung-ho already injured, Hwang In-beom's injury pushed the national team's midfield into a real crisis.
Hong Myung-bo said, "I heard the news that Hwang In-beom was substituted due to injury in today's match. We are awaiting the results. The central midfielder position requires both experimentation and harmony."
If Hwang In-beom's injury is serious, it could be difficult to conduct a final check in the March dress rehearsal ahead of the CONCACAF World Cup. Baek Seung-ho is carrying an injury but was included on the roster for now. Among the remaining players, Park Jin-seop, Kim Jin-kyu and Kwon Hyuk-kyu could take on roles in midfield, but they lack the same presence as Hwang In-beom.
Korea will face the Ivory Coast national team on the 28th in Milton Keynes, England. After that, the team will move to Vienna, Austria, to play an exhibition match against the Austria national team on April 1. It is the final check ahead of the 2026 FIFA CONCACAF World Cup.
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