Ones to Watch: South Korea U20
Cancel your Valentines Day plans and settle in for the U20 Asian Cup in the month of February with South Korea kicking off on the 14th.
The last U20 AFC Asian Cup gave a platform for the likes of Lee Young-jun of South Korea, and Isa Sakamoto of Japan to move to Europe at Grasshoppers and Westerlo respectively. The showcase tournament acts as qualification for this year’s U20 World Cup hosted in Chile in September, a tournament that South Korea have had very good success at in recent years. As the all-time most winningest team of the U20 Asian Cup, South Korea will head into this tournament not only keen on returning the U20 World Cup stage, but also expanding on the 12 titles they’ve won. The prospect of facing off against Japan in the group stage, and possibly the final again, brings all the more importance to the developmental tournament.
As usual, the tournament will put on display the continent’s best young talents and for South Korea there is an exciting bunch of players looking to make their mark on the competition. So, here’s 3 to look out for.
Park Seung-soo
Club: Suwon Bluewings (K2)
Position: LW
Height: 184cm
Weight: 75kg
Foot: Right
Primary Attributes: Dribbling, acceleration, balance
DOB: 17th March 2007
The next big thing out of the famous Maetan High School production line. Made his debut in 2024 in the Korea Cup away to K1 opposition Pohang Steelers. Bluewings eventually lost on penalties but not before Park had had the whole defence on toast, managing an assist on his debut that took the game to penalties.
Already under the scope of many a European scout, Park’s preference, like most Koreans, is the Premier League. After making 14 appearances for Suwon last year; this tournament gives him a chance to shine on the continental stage.
Expect to see Park’s physical attributes on show in this tournament. A quick burst when standing up defenders to cut inside or equally adept at taking fullbacks to the byline. Decision making at 17 is always a difficult trait but with decent game time under his belt he can improve this. Off the ball the left winger has shown good attacking instincts to get into the far post with his height a concern for opposition full backs.
He has good tournament experience as well in the last AFC U17 Asian Cup in 2023 and the most exciting prospect for South Korea this tournament.
Kim Hyun-woo
Club: Seoul E-Land (K2)
Position: LB
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 73kg
Foot: Left
Primary Attributes: Anticipation, speed, set piece delivery
DOB: 27th July 2006
While Korea have multiple standout wingers coming through, at fullback Kim Hyun-woo is one that stands out the most. No professional appearance having just signed for Seoul E-land from Yeongdeungpo High School. Kim’s industry and quickness should put him ahead of Kim Seo-jin, who has first team experience, at left back.
Comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and able to move inside to midfield to help with build up, Kim has been a key part of the youth international set up. Kim impressed at last year’s E.O.U competition in Seoul against the likes of Argentina, Thailand and Indonesia. The 18-year-old defends on the front foot trying to intercept the ball and has great recovery speed to get back to cover.
Lee Chang-woo
Club: Pohang Steelers (K1)
Position: RB/CM
Height: 178cm
Weight: 70kg
Foot: Right
Primary Attributes: Receiving ball under pressure, passing. crossing.
DOB: 12th March 2006
In a similar vein to Kim Hyun-woo, Lee Chang-woo also has the flexibility in his game to play full back and midfield but I feel Lee’s talents are best suited to the centre of the pitch. Lee has the ability to dictate the tempo and break the press. His final delivery and passing is also a strong point to his game.
Again like Kim, Lee is yet to debut at senior level but he has been a mainstay with Korean youth teams. It remains to be seen whether we see Lee set up in the midfield or at right back but he should play more of a part than he did at the 2023 U-17 World Cup where he mustered just around 90 minutes over the course of Korea’s three group games.
Video clip Analysis:
Fixture: Denmark U20 vs South Korea U20 November 18th 2024
Number 16 Kim Hyun-woo LB carries the ball forward, connecting with LW, before recycling the ball back to number 13 Lee Chang-woo who calls for the ball and delivers a good ball to the back post, winning a corner.
Other Worthy Mentions
Yun Do-young RW (Daejeon Hana Citizen- Brighton)
Lee Ye-chan CB (Bucheon on loan)
Jin Tae-ho AM (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)