Klinsmann’s “young bloods” Hong Hyun-seok (24, Ghent) and Jung Woo-young (24, Stuttgart) have revealed their determination for the World Cup qualifiers.
“I’ve only watched the World Cup on TV, but I’m excited for the opportunity to play in person (at the qualifying stage),” Hong said in an interview before the national team’s training session at Mokdong Sports Complex in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, on Thursday.
“I’m happy to be able to train with my brothers,” said Jung Woo-young, who along with Hong Hyun-seok was part of the team that won gold at the Asian Games.
Jürgen Klinsmann’s men will face Singapore on Saturday evening at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in their first match of Group C (South Korea, China, Thailand and Singapore) of the World Cup Asia 2026 second qualifying round. On the 21st, they will play China away in the second leg.
Klinsmann has called for a high-scoring affair, with “no underdogs” in the race to qualify for the third qualifying round, which will be awarded to the top two teams in the group.
