– ‘Key defender’ Kim Min-jae, calf injury sequelae
– Absent team training for the second day
– National team representative “I still feel the pain”
– Crisis before the Ghana game on the eve of the R16
The main central defender of the national football team, Kim Min-jae, who injured his calf in the first match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup against Uruguay, was absent from team training for the second day.
Kim Min-jae did not appear at the Al Egla training ground in Doha, Qatar, where the national team trained on the 26th (Korean time). An official from the national team announced, “Kim Min-jae is still feeling pain and will stay at the hotel until today to receive treatment and rest.”
Kim Min-jae, who is on the World Cup stage for the first time in his life, played full time in the first match of group H against Uruguay held at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on the 24th helping our national team from 0 -0 draw. During this process, Kim Min-jae slipped and fell while trying to stop the opponent Darwin Núñez in Uruguay’s counterattack position in the 18th minute of the second half, injuring his right calf.
After being checked by the medical team, Kim Min-jae, who returned to the floor and played a part in the scoreless game, said after the game, “This is the first time I have injured the muscles, but I don’t think it’s serious.” However, after the match against Uruguay, Min-jae Kim did not participate in team training and spent time in the accommodation, starting with the national team’s recovery training on the 25th.
The Korean national team, led by coach Paulo Bento, will play the second match against Ghana on the 28th at 10:00pm at the Education City Stadium. It’s not a major injury, but with the Ghana match approaching two days ahead, Kim Min-jae is raising concerns as he can’t spend consecutive team training.
Ghana lost 2-3 to Portugal in the first game of the group stage, showing a tremendous performance. In particular, an active attacking power focused on young and fast players was identified as a strength. If Min-jae Kim, the key defender, does not recover in time, the blow to Bento will inevitably be great.
The second round of Group H between Korea and Ghana will be held at 10:00pm on the 28th, Korea time.
YTN Jaehyung Kim (jhkim03@ytn.co.kr)
[저작권자(c) YTN 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]
