While Lee Kang-in (22, Mallorca) and Federico Valverde (24, Real Madrid) were expected to fight in midfield, Kim Min-jae (26, Naples) pledged revenge.
The Korean national soccer team, led by coach Jurgen Klinsmann, will play a friendly A match against Uruguay at the Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8:00 pm on the 28th. Korea and Uruguay will meet again four months after the first leg of the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stage.
There are familiar players. Uruguayan attacking midfielder Valverde is the main character. Valverde collided with Lee Kang-in near the half-line at the end of the second half of the Qatar World Cup match. At that time, Lee Kang-in sprinted on the dribble and launched a counterattack, and Valverde chased Lee Kang-in and made a back tackle.
As soon as Valverde cut off the right to attack, he looked down at Lee Kang-in and fired an uppercut ceremony. The Uruguay fans who were right in front of them cheered loudly. Lee Kang-in smiled lightly and passed Valverde. Lee Kang-in, who came out after the game against Uruguay, laughed and said, “It happens when you play soccer.”
Here is not the end. Immediately after the World Cup, they also clashed in the Spanish Primera Liga. In the 18th minute of the second half of the Mallorca-Real Madrid match held on February 5, Valverde made a back tackle on Lee Kang-in. Lee Kang-in complained of pain and rolled over. Valverde got a yellow card and was substituted off the bench.
Four months later, the two meet again in Seoul. At a press conference held at the National Training Center (NFC) in Paju the day before the match against Uruguay, Kim Min-jae said, “Because Valverde is a very good player, we have to be especially vigilant. There were bad things (with Kangin in the past), but you shouldn’t contain your emotions. He said winning the game is the best revenge,” and promised to pay back with victory. 메이저사이트
When Korea and Colombia played a friendly on the 24th, Uruguay played a friendly against the Japanese national team in Tokyo, Japan. The result was a 1-1 draw. Valverde scored Uruguay’s opening goal that day. He hit the crossbar with his main weapon, a mid-range shot, and finished the ball with a header shot.
Kim Min-jae said, “South American teams are strong and tough. We must be prepared to face it. Uruguay is a fast-paced team. Among them, Valverde is good at passing and breaking through. What I do best is shooting. When a shooting angle comes up, you have to go out unconditionally and block,” he said, emphasizing the blocking method of Valverde.
Although it is a friendly match, a ‘Lee Kang-in vs. Valverde’ confrontation is expected. Coach Klinsman said, “Lee Kang-in is a young and talented player. In this convocation, he confirmed that talent firsthand,” he replied.