It’s that time of the year again. In what has been a good year for the Korea Republic youth program, it is now the U17 team’s turn to test themselves on the world’s stage. They have traveled to Brazil for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Their goal: to go one step further than the U20 squad and win the whole thing.
The Squad
Something that you’ll notice is different about this squad from other U17 World Cup squad is that the names of these players’ High School is listed as their club team. That’s unique to Korea, whereas France, Haiti, and Chile’s players have a professional club listed. Fear not, these high schools are officially affiliated with K League clubs and function as the U18 squads for the K League professional club. So let’s go through the high schools and affiliate players with the professional K League clubs they train with!
Goalkeepers: Shin Songhoon (Gwangju FC), Lee Seunghwan (Pohang Steelers), Kim Joonhong (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC)
Defenders: Hong Sungwook, Lee Hanbeom, Bang Woojin (FC Seoul), Lee Junsuk, Son Hojun (Suwon Samsung Bluewings FC), Kim Ryunseong (Pohang Steelers), Lee Taeseok (FC Seoul), Yu Seunghyeon
Midfielders: Oh Jaehyeok (Pohang Steelers), Yoon Sukju (Pohang Steelers), Paik Sanghoon (FC Seoul), Lee Jonghoon (Daegu FC), Eom Jisung (Gwangju FC), Jeong Sangbin (Suwon Samsung Bluewings FC), Hong Yunsang (Pohang Steelers)
Forwards: Kim Yonghak (Pohang Steelers), Moon Junho (Daejeon Citizen), Choi Minseo (Pohang Steelers)
You’ll see a lot of Pohang Steelers in there because quite frankly, Pohang Jecheol HS dominates the youth ranks in Korea. That’s where Hwang Heechan played before he left for Red Bull Salzburg. There’s a lot of FC Seoul and Suwon Samsung in there as well. Overall, the players that will score the goals are Jeong Sangbin, Moon Junho, and Choi Minseo. They were the teams top scorers during qualification so keep an eye on them tonight.
Match Schedule
Matchday 1: Korea Republic vs. Haiti, Oct. 27 7 PM EST/8 AM KST (Monday), Naver TV/FS+
Matchday 2: Korea Republic vs. France, Oct. 30 4 PM EST, 5 AM KST (Thursday), NaverTV/FS2
Matchday 3: Korea Republic vs. Chile, Nov. 2 4 PM EST/5 AM KST (Sunday), NaverTV/Fox Sports
Let’s cheer on the young Taegeuk Warriors as they embark on their journey in Brazil. Daehanminguk Hwaiting!
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