DOHA — FC Midtjylland striker Cho Gue-sung was reintroduced to the South Korean starting eleven for the crucial quarterfinal match against Australia in the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup, held in Qatar. This strategic decision comes as South Korea aims to extend their successful campaign in the tournament.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho, who had not scored in the three group stage matches and was initially benched during the round of 16 match against Saudi Arabia, made a significant impact by scoring a crucial last-minute equalizer. His goal during the second half of the game brought the score to 1-1, eventually leading to South Korea’s victory on penalties, 4-2, against Saudi Arabia.
Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers is also set to make his first tournament start in the upcoming game against Australia. Hwang had missed the first two group matches due to a left hip injury but contributed as a substitute in the last two games. The attack will be further strengthened with the inclusion of Son Heung-min from Tottenham Hotspur and Lee Kang-in from Paris Saint-Germain.
The midfield sees the return of Park Yong-woo of Al Ain FC and Hwang In-beom of Crvena zvezda. The defense is solidified with Kim Young-gwon of Ulsan Hyundai FC and Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich as the central defenders, supported by Seol Young-woo of Ulsan on the left and Kim Tae-hwan of Jeonbuk on the right. Goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, notable for his two penalty saves in the previous shootout, will mark his fourth consecutive start.
The match between the Taegeuk Warriors and the Socceroos is scheduled to take place at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, just south of Doha. The kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. local time on Friday, which corresponds to 12:30 a.m. Saturday in South Korea, promising a fiercely contested battle for a semifinal spot in the tournament.
SEOUL – FC Seoul, a prominent football club in South Korea’s K League 1, announced on Friday that they are in the midst of contract negotiations with Jesse Lingard, the former Manchester United midfielder and England international.
According to Yonhap News Agency, discussions have been ongoing with Lingard’s representatives regarding a potential signing.
British media earlier reported that Lingard, 31, is nearing an agreement with FC Seoul that would see him join the club on a two-year contract, with the option for a third season. Lingard, who has been a free agent since his departure from Nottingham Forest last summer, had a distinguished career at Manchester United, where he started in 2011 and spent 11 seasons. His move to Forest in 2022 followed the team’s ascension to the Premier League.
With 32 international caps for England, including participation in six matches during the country’s journey to the semifinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Lingard’s potential arrival marks a significant acquisition for FC Seoul. Should the deal be finalized, he would be the most notable European player to join the K League 1.
Lingard’s recent activities have included training stints with West Ham United, where he notably scored nine goals in 16 matches on loan during the 2020-2021 season, and with Al-Ettifaq, a Saudi Arabian club. Despite receiving offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, Lingard’s next career move could be to South Korea, indicating a significant shift in his professional journey.
The potential signing comes as FC Seoul welcomes new head coach Kim Gi-dong, aiming for a resurgence after several seasons of middling performances in the K League 1. Lingard’s experience and skill set could play a pivotal role in the club’s ambitions for the upcoming season.