Due to the ‘butterfly effect’ of Kim Seung-gyu’s injury, Kim Kyung-min and Lee Chang-geun join at the same time… Strong Cho Hyun-woo, NO.2 GK competition ‘prologue’ rises

sports | soccer

(Sports Seoul | Reporter Park Jun-beom) The race for the No. 2 goalkeeper has begun.

The competition for the starting goalkeeper spot for the national soccer team was fierce between Seung-gyu Kim (Al Shabaab) and Hyun-woo Cho (Ulsan HD). However, due to Kim Seung-gyu’s series of injuries, Jo Hyun-woo is taking over as the starting goalkeeper. Seung-gyu Kim suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament ahead of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup last January.

Seung-gyu Kim returned last August after a long rehabilitation. And national soccer team coach Hong Myung-bo also included Kim Seung-gyu in the A-match roster last month. Seung-gyu Kim did not play in the game, but was with the national team. However, Kim Seung-gyu’s cruciate ligament ruptured again and he was left for another long period of time. Born in 1990, he is now in his mid-30s, so the key is how he can overcome two cruciate ligament ruptures and come back.

Coach Hong selected Kim Gyeong-min (Gwangju FC) and Lee Chang-geun (Daejeon Hana Citizen), who performed outstandingly in the K-League, for the November A-match roster. It is a new three-person system.

Kim Gyeong-min was born in 1991, but this is his first Taegeuk mark. He played at Seoul E-Land, Jeju United, and Busan I’Park before wearing the Gwangju uniform in the 2022 season. After moving to Gwangju, he was reborn as a key resource.

In his first year at Gwangju, he played in 34 games, allowing 28 runs and boasting an ERA of 0. There were 16 clean sheets. He contributed to Gwangju winning K League 2 and promotion to K League 1. Although he gave up quite a few runs this season, he recorded an ERA of 0 last season as well. Not only does he have the ability to save, but he also has foot skills and is good at building up from behind.

Lee Chang-geun has been named to the national soccer team, but has only played in one international match. The first and last friendly match was held against Qatar in November 2020. He was also chosen during the time of coach Paulo Bento.

This is the first time under Director Hong’s regime. Lee Chang-geun has been playing in the K-League since the 2012 season. In particular, when he moved to Daejeon, he put on a good defense show based on his outstanding quickness. He is not inferior to Jo Hyun-woo in terms of his ability to save. There are 9 clean sheets this season as well.

Coach Hong also said, “Due to Kim Seung-gyu’s injury, a second goalkeeper was needed,” adding, “Kim Kyung-min and Lee Chang-geun are showing good performances in the K-League. “There will be competition for the second goalkeeper position,” he explained. beam2@sportsseoul.com