Seoul: Striker Lee Jeong-hyeop has made it back to the Korea Republic men's national football team for the first time in nearly two years, as the Taeguk Warriors gear up for two friendly matches next month.
Head coach Paulo Bento announced his 25-man roster at the Korea Football Association (KFA) House in Seoul on Monday. Korea Republic will host Australia at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium in Busan on June 7, before facing Islamic Republic of Iran four days later at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Lee, forward for Busan IPark in the K League 2, last played for Korea Republic in a friendly against Colombia in November 2017.
Lee is enjoying a fine season with Busan IPark, having scored seven goals in nine matches. The 27-year-old rose to unlikely stardom in early 2015 under former coach Uli Stielike, scoring three goals in his first six appearances, including two during Korea Republic's march to the final of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia.
The 1.86m striker will add some much-needed firepower up front alongside Hwang Ui-jo (pictured above), who has been the most prolific scorer under Bento.
"We've kept close tabs on him and analysed his previous games with the national team," Bento said of Lee. "We also considered his current form for his club, and we decided he had the ability to fit into our style of play."
Lee is one of three players to be called up by Bento for the first time, joined by Ulsan Hyundai FC defender Kim Tae-hwan (pictured above, left) and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielder Son Jun-ho (pictured above, right).
Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min leads the squad's experienced spine. The Korea Republic captain leads the current team both in caps with 79 and goals with 24.
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At the other end of the spectrum, Hellas Verona midfielder Lee Seung-woo and Girona FC midfielder Paik Seung-ho, the team's two youngest players at 21 and 22, both made the team. Seung-woo has 10 caps to his credit but Paik is still looking for his international debut.
Korea Republic begin their training camp on Monday at the National Football Center (NFC) in Paju. The coach said Son may join the team later than the others, due to club commitments.
Tottenham Hotspur will face Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final in Madrid on Saturday.
"I've told him that he should enjoy the Champions League final as much as he can, because it will be one of the most meaningful and special moments of his life," Bento said. "I said he should try to focus on that match first, and then worry about the national team later."
Among others joining Son in midfield will be a pair of Europe-based playmakers, Holstein Kiel's Lee Jae-sung (pictured above) and Dijon FCO's Kwon Chang-hoon. Son and Lee had a goal apiece in Korea Republic's 2-1 victory over Colombia in March, while Kwon made a successful return from a long injury layoff two months ago.
The defensive corps features Kim Young-gwon, who leads all defenders with 69 caps, and centre-back Kim Min-jae.
Australia's visit will complete the home-and-away series between the two teams, with Korea Republic having faced the Socceroos in Brisbane last November.
In 27 meetings against Australia, Korea Republic have seven wins, 11 draws and nine losses. They have just one win in their past six matches against Australia, with three draws and two losses.
Korea Republic last faced Iran in August 2017 during the final 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying stage.
Iran are the top Asian ranked team in the FIFA rankings at No. 21, 16 spots ahead of Korea Republic and 20 spots above Australia.
Korea Republic have played Iran 30 times, with a record of nine wins, eight draws and 13 losses.
Korea Republic's last win over Iran came in January 2011 in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup. In ensuing meetings, Iran enjoyed four consecutive 1-0 victories over Korea Republic before they played to a scoreless draw during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in August 2017.
Sources: yonhapnews.co.kr, AFP, AFC
Source: the-afc.com