Yang vs Kang - The cream of the 2006 Crop
Yang Min-hyuk vs Kang Ju-hyuk - Round 28 in the K League saw two of the league's biggest talents face off for the first time - both born in 2006 and destined for big things
The year 2006 in South Korea saw the emergence of some remarkable talents, including FC Seoul’s Kang Ju-hyuk and Gangwon FC’s, soon-to-be Tottenham's, Yang Min-hyuk. Other notable players born in 2006 are Daejeon’s Yun Do-young and Pohang Steelers' Kim Myung-jun, who has yet to make a senior appearance. The future looks promising for the Korean National Team, and it might come sooner than expected, with Yang earning his first call-up for the KNT for the upcoming September World Cup Qualifiers. This call-up is fully justified, as the new national team coach stated, "His body of work this season speaks for itself, and I think this is the right time to give him this opportunity.” The timing of it draws a perhaps unhealthy comparison to the country's talisman, Son Heung-min, who was called up 20 days later than Yang but also at 18 years old. Kang turns 18 in the last week of August and, in his seven appearances in the K League since joining on a semi-pro contract at the end of May, has shown enough talent to be on a similar path to K League darling Yang Min-hyuk.
But just how far behind Yang is he, and what different qualities do they bring?
Story so far?
Yang Min-hyuk burst onto the scene in the K League 2024 season, registering an assist in the first minute of the first game. Although it was one for the dubious goals panel, as his shot grazed a teammate’s calf before going in, it only took him two minutes to score his first professional goal in the very next game with a stunning shot from outside the box in his first away game at Gwangju FC. Since then, he has impressed with his creativity around the box, excellent dribbling, and a variety of high-quality finishes. The Premier League took notice, and Tottenham Hotspur signed him and will bring him over in January 2025. While there have been the occasional quiet games where he appeared on the fringes, his level of consistency is unprecedented in the K League at his age.
Kang Ju-hyuk was promoted from FC Seoul’s highly successful U18 team on the last day of May. He came on as a late substitute the following weekend, becoming FC Seoul’s youngest-ever debutant at the age of 17 years and 9 months, and the third youngest ever in the league. His second appearance, and first start, in a home cup tie against Gangwon FC showcased his energetic and direct dribbling, as well as his ability to get on the end of things in the box. His next appearance saw him shift from RM to CF, where his pressure and relentless effort led to a second assist for what turned out to be the match-winning goal against Gimcheon. In the Gyeong-gi derby, his impact was immediate; within a minute of his introduction, a quick shift of the ball and a precise left-footed rocket into the top corner secured a 1-0 victory. He made his first league start and assist this past weekend. His introduction to the K League has been dramatic, marked by a budding bromance with Jesse Lingard and a confidence that has fans and the league buzzing about the next 2006 star in the making.
Yang Min-hyuk’s Rating: 10/10
Kang Ju-hyuk’s Rating: 8/10
FC Seoul 2-0 Gangwon FC (2.19 Xg -1.05 Xg)
24th August 2024, Seoul World Cup Stadium
This game could have title ramifications in the K League, with the top six tightly packed. The result saw Gangwon’s lead over the chasing pack reduced to two points. FC Seoul has thrown their hat into the ring with this result, now being five points behind with ten games to go. With such high stakes, it was refreshing to see the Kang and Yang teenage battle, though they were on opposite flanks: Yang starting in his usual RW position, while Kang was on the RM for FC Seoul but tended to move to the striker position when in possession.
Yang Min-hyuk didn’t have his best game in round 28 in the capital; the teenage sensation struggled to get involved in the first half, during which FC Seoul took a two-goal lead and dominated play. A major feature of Gangwon FC’s build-up play this season has been finding Yang with his back to goal. With a light touch, Yang turns into space, and his teammates join the attack. It was clear FC Seoul was prepared for this, and experienced Kang Sang-woo, Yang’s direct opponent playing at left back, showed he had done his homework and won the duel.
Defensively, Yang Min-hyuk needs to improve. Pressing from the front, Yang was part of Gangwon’s forward press and was positioned well defensively, preventing most FC Seoul build-ups down his side. However, facing his own goal and in deeper defensive positions, he was outfoxed a few times by Lingard. For FC Seoul's first goal, Yang recovered his position well but chose to close down the ball, creating space centrally for Lee Seung-mo to exploit with a fine finish. After Gangwon conceded their second goal and until he was substituted, Yang was more active in getting the ball and trying to create opportunities in FC Seoul’s half. He made several diagonal runs, creating space for right back Hwang Mun-ki, and stretched the play with runs behind the defense. Though things couldn’t quite click for the July K League Player of the Month, Yang was subbed off earlier than usual in the 75th minute. This game does not reflect his ability and a number of Gangwon FC’s players underperformed.
Kang Ju-hyuk played only the first half, which has been common for FC Seoul’s U22 player recently, as Puskas Nominee Kang Seong-jin can attest. Kang showcased his athleticism, movement off the ball, and vision.
Kang was very active in the first half and was flexible in positioning both defensively and offensively. Moving to the forward position often as Lingard tended the float and also working back to help right back Yoon Jong-gyu out. A lot of Kang’s actions were one touch and this caused the Gangwon defence difficulties forcing fouls and they were unable to prevent his passes finding their targets with a quite unusual 100% passing accuracy rating for a wide player. Kang grabbed his first assist as a professional, after pooping up on the opposite flank and trapping the cross field pass, no thanks to Lingard, the then 17-year-old found Lee Seung-mo in space to curl in an excellent opener.
R28 Rating:
Yang Min-hyuk 5/10
Kang Ju-hyuk 8/10
Differences and Similarities.
The most glaring difference is that Yang is right-footed, while Kang is left-footed. This fact makes the possibility of them appearing on either flank for the Korean National Team a real one. In their budding club careers, Kang has featured more as a second striker, while Yang Min-hyuk has predominantly played on the right wing. Both players have shown the ability to play on either wing and both prefer to cut inside and find space in the half-space rather than stick to the touchline. In R28 at Seoul World Cup Stadium, a distinct difference was how they called for the ball: Yang was more reticent, while Kang was very vocal and quick to change positions when he didn’t receive it. Kang’s miss in the first half has been the kind of chance that Yang Min-hyuk has been gobbling up, Yang’s composure has been beyond his years and finishing one of the best parts of his game.
Room for Improvement
Kang will need to focus on finishing with his weaker right foot, as players in such positions are expected to convert those chances. Kang has also had knee management issues, limiting his appearances so far. Yang Min-hyuk will soon face some of the best defenders in the world in training and hopefully in the Premier League. Improving his problem-solving skills when faced with wily defenders and sharpening his defensive capabilities are areas he should focus on to reach the next level.
So just how far behind Yang Min-hyuk is Kang Ju-hyuk?
Not far behind at all.