Teen footballer Hong Seo-yoon joins Korean women's team for U.S. friendlies

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Teen footballer Hong Seo-yoon joins Korean women's team for U.S. friendlies

Published: 20 May. 2024, 17:20 Updated: 21 May. 2024, 17:12

PAIK JI-HWAN
paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr

The Korean women's national team poses for a photo before a friendly against the Philippines at Icheon Sports Complex in Icheon, Gyeonggi, last month. [KOREA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION]

Teen footballer Hong Seo-yoon from Gwangyang Girls' High School received a call-up to the Korean women’s national team on Monday for the two friendlies against the United States next month. At 15 years and 319 days, Hong becomes the third youngest player to be called up to the national women's team.

The two youngest were midfielder Ji So-yun from Seattle Reign FC at 15 years and 217 days and Kwon Da-eun from Hyundai High School at 15 years and 309 days.

National team manager Colin Bell again called up Ji, now 33, for the two-game series against the United States, but Kwon did not make it onto the roster.

Alongside Hong and Ji, regular midfielder picks Lee Geum-min of Brighton & Hove Albion, Cho So-hyun of Birmingham City and Kang Chae-rim and Jeon Eun-ha from Suwon FC join the midfield lineup. Hwacheon KSPO midfielder Lee Jung-eun also joins the squad for the first time in seven years.

In defense, Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels’ Kim Hye-ri, with 124 caps, joins the squad alongside her teammates Hong Hye-ji and Choo Hyo-joo, in addition to Lee Young-ju from Madrid CFF, Lee Eun-young from Changnyeong WFC, Go Yoo-na from Hwacheon and Jang Sel-gi and Kim Jin-hee from Gyeongju KHNP.

The five forwards joining the squad are Moon Mi-ra from Suwon, Chun Ga-ram from Hwacheon, Choe Yu-ri from Birmingham, Gwak Ro-yeong from Gyeongju and Casey Phair from Angel City.

Phair has been a regular pick for the national team since becoming the youngest player to appear at a Women’s World Cup last year at 16 years and 26 days.

Korea's Casey Phair dribbles the ball during a friendly against the Philippines at Icheon Sports Complex in Icheon, Gyeonggi on April 8. [YONHAP]

Goalkeepers Kim Jung-mi from the Red Angels, Choi Ye-seul from Gyeongju and Kim Kyeong-hee from Suwon complete the squad.

Bell’s squad will play the two-game series against the United States on the back of two wins against the Philippines in friendlies last month where the Taeguk Ladies won 3-0 and 2-1.

The Taeguk Ladies will jet off to the United States on May 27 and play the first game in Colorado on June 1 with the second match in Minnesota on June 4.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]