In the 2023 International Football Federation (FIFA) Australia-New Zealand Women’s World Cup, which kicks off on the 20th, the Korean national team, which is aiming to advance to the round of 16 for the first time in eight years, is in harmony with veterans and newcomers.
Of the 23 final entrants, 14 of these national teams competed in the finals of the World Cup.
In addition, several new players born in the 2000s are also selected to bring spirit and vitality to the team.
The player who receives the greatest expectations both inside and outside the national team is by far the “ace” Ji So-yeon (32, Suwon FC).
Ji So-yeon, who also holds the record for the most goals by scoring 67 goals in 145 A-matches, the most among Korean players, is about to participate in the World Cup for the third time in her life.
At the 2015 World Cup in Canada, he took the lead in advancing to the round of 16 for the first time in Korea, but four years ago in France, he failed to prevent all three losses in the group stage from being eliminated. there is.
The performance of veteran tall striker Park Eun-seon (36, Seoul City Hall) is also noteworthy.
Park Eun-seon, who has been through wandering and ups and downs in her career, returns to the World Cup finals 8 years after the Canadian tournament.
After not joining the national team for a long time due to injury after the World Cup in Canada, he started being called by coach Colin Bell (England) in June of last year and made the final entry. Coach Bell worked hard to help him adapt to the national team in order to use his strength and scoring ability, which stemmed from his height of 180 cm, in the World Cup.
It took 12 years for her to compete in the second tournament after the first World Cup, and Park Eun-seon, who is standing on the third World Cup stage after another 8 years, is determined to be the last and dreams of scoring for the first time in her life.
For players born in the 1980s or early 1990s who have been the main players of the national team, including them, this tournament is likely to be the last World Cup in their careers. There may be players who will play in four years, but it is highly likely that this will be the last World Cup in which the so-called ‘golden generation’ of Korean women’s football will participate when they are all in their prime.
Cho So-hyun (35, Tottenham), who has played a supporting role in Korean women’s soccer by participating in 145 A-matches like Ji So-yeon, and goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi, who was born in October 1984 and set the record for the oldest Korean female player to participate in the World Cup (38 years and 9 months). (Hyundai Steel, 136 A matches) etc. fall into this category.
In addition to Ji So-yeon, Cho So-hyun, and Kim Jeong-mi, members of the ‘Century Club’ (played in more than 100 A matches) in the national team, Kim Hye-ri (33, 112 A matches) and Im Seon-joo (32, 104 matches, more than Hyundai Steel) are also the center of the defense. In four years, you will be in your late 30s.
Multiplayer Jang Seul-gi (29), striker Choi Yu-ri (28), Son Hwa-yeon (26), defender Hong Hye-ji (26, Hyundai Steel), etc. this tournament is an opportunity to make their presence known as the signboard of the national team following in the footsteps of their older sisters. all.
In addition to Cho So-hyun, as ‘European’, Lee Geum-min (29, Brighton), Lee Young-joo (31, Madrid CFF), and goalkeeper Yoon Young-geul (35, BK Hecken) are expected to play a key role in the team.
During the ‘Young Gun’, mixed-race striker Casey Eugene Fair (PDA) stood at the center of the topic.
Born in June 2007 to an American father and a Korean mother, Fair, at 16 years and 1 month, not only set the record for the ‘youngest’ Korean player, but also became the youngest player among 32 countries participating in the Women’s World Cup.
Pair is also the second player of mixed race to be included in the final roster for the World Cup in Korean soccer history, following Jang Dae-il of the 1998 French Men’s World Cup. Jang Dae-il, born to a British father and a Korean mother, is unable to compete in the finals, so Fair tries to record her first appearance as a mixed-race player.안전사이트
The pair had worn the Taegeuk mark before in the age group, but in the adult national team, they were selected for the first time at the final domestic call for this World Cup and then made the final entry. Coach Bell evaluates the pair as a resource that can help the team right away. .
Ga-ram Chun (KSPO), born in 2002, who earned the nickname “Cheon Messi” for his impressive performance at the U-20 World Cup in August last year, and Ye-bin Bae (Uiduk University), born in 2004, who was selected by coach Bell after going through various age groups. They are also players who can expect a ‘feel good accident’.
Choo Hyo-joo (Suwon FC), born in 2000, gained trust from the beginning of the Bell coaching system and has already solidified his position as the main wing-back, and has virtually reserved his appearance in the first World Cup in his career.