Jeonbuk duo look to make a mark with World Cup qualifier call-ups

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Jeonbuk duo look to make a mark with World Cup qualifier call-ups

Published: 13 Oct. 2024, 14:55

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

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielder Lee Seung-woo, right, dribbles the ball during a K League 1 match against Gwangju FC at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla, on Aug. 9. [NEWS1]

Korea’s upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier against Iraq on Tuesday poses an opportunity for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielders Lee Seung-woo and Moon Seon-min to leave their mark on the national team in the absence of Hwang Hee-chan and Eom Ji-sung, who are out with injury.

Both Lee and Moon were called up to the national team on Saturday after Hwang and Eom sustained injuries during a qualifier against Jordan the day before.

The call-up marks Lee’s return to the national squad after his last cap in 2019, while Moon joins the national team for the first time since being included in the squad for the 2023 Asian Cup, where he failed to play a single minute.

Moon’s last cap comes from a friendly against Tunisia in October of last year where he made an appearance for just one minute. Since playing at the 2018 World Cup and getting a few more caps after, he has not been a regular pick for Korea.

Lee has also failed to establish himself as a key player for Korea, with just 11 caps under his belt since his senior national team debut in 2018.

But the two midfielders have been in solid form this season. Lee has racked up 11 goals and five assists across 26 fixtures, while Moon has recorded 10 goals and four assists in 36 matches.

Given their performance and playing styles, what roles could they play for the national team?

Lee

Lee is a versatile midfielder who can play as a winger, central midfielder or central attacking midfielder. He mostly executed the No. 10 role at Suwon FC where he recorded 10 goals and two assists in the first half of the 2024 K League 1 season, but has often played as a forward in a 4-4-2 formation since joining Jeonbuk in July.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielder Lee Seung-woo, center, vies for the ball during a K League 1 match against Gwangju FC at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla, on Aug. 9. [NEWS1]

An obvious option for Lee would be filling in a winger position for Hwang. While the Jeonbuk man lacks the aggressive play of Hwang, Lee still has speed, dribbling and creative passing to make him a suitable pick for the role. Winger is also the position he occupied most often at the national team.

Playing as a No. 10 in the 4-2-3-1 formation that Korea manager Hong Myung-bo uses is also an option. But Hong has preferred to play veteran midfielder Lee Jae-sung in that role with which he scored a goal in the qualifier against Jordan.

Over in the central midfielder position, fellow veterans Hwang In-beom and Park Yong-woo already occupy the two midfielder positions, making it hard for the Jeonbuk midfielder to take one of the spots.

Lee has, however, improved his pass accuracy and the ability to counterpressure in recent years. He can provide fluidity like Hwang and Park, although he lacks defensive factors compared to the veterans.

Lee’s ability to make creative passes during build-up play gives Hong an option to consider changing the formation to a 4-3-3 that puts all three midfielders together.

Moon

Moon’s playing style, meanwhile, is similar to Hwang Hee-chan, who breaks through defenders from the flank to score goals on his own.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielder Moon Seon-min, right, in action during a 2023-24 AFC Champions League match against Ulan HD at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan on March 12. [YONHAP]

He withstands pressure effectively and does not easily lose the ball when attacking. The Jeonbuk winger also has speed and makes accurate passes for fellow forwards just like Hwang did against Jordan, but his shot accuracy in front of goal has been his weakness in the K League.

Moon does not merely stay in his position, however, as he often makes movements to snatch the ball with aggressive challenges.

His defensive factors are a good sign for Hong, who was able to beat Jordan thanks to his forwards’ diligent involvement in defense.

Moon joins the national team in good form, having most recently picked up one goal and one assist in a league game against Daegu FC on Oct. 6.

If he scores on Tuesday, it would mark his first goal since scoring in a friendly against Uzbekistan in 2018.

Remaining opportunities for Lee and Moon

The upcoming qualifier against Iraq is the last opportunity for duo to clock minutes for the Taeguk Warriors before the November international break, as Tuesday’s match wraps up the October break for Korea.

Korea still has remaining games in the third round of the qualifiers that last through next year, which leave chances for the two midfielders to seal their places in the national team before the 2026 World Cup.

Hong’s squad faces Iraq at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi, at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Korea sit at the top of the six-team table in Group D with two wins and one draw as of Sunday.

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