[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] Hwang Hee-chan (26, Wolverhampton), a forward of the national soccer team who is suffering from a hamstring injury (muscle at the back of the thigh), will not be able to play in the second group stage match against Ghana in the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Key central defender Kim Min-jae (26, Napoli), who injured his calf, will have to wait until match day to determine his status.
Paulo Bento, head coach of the national soccer team, stated at a pre-match press conference for the second group stage match against Ghana held on the 27th at the main media center in Al Rayyan, Qatar, "Hwang Hee-chan will not play tomorrow. Kim Min-jae is still uncertain."
Korea is preparing for the second Group H match against Ghana at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan at 10 p.m. (Korean time) on the 28th.
Hwang Hee-chan has been unable to fully participate in team training due to his hamstring injury and also missed the first group stage match against Uruguay on the 24th.
Kim Min-jae played the full match against Uruguay, contributing to Korea’s 0-0 draw. However, in the 18th minute of the second half during a Uruguayan counterattack, he slipped while trying to stop Darwin N??ez and injured his right calf. Since then, he has mainly undergone individual recovery training.
With the participation of the two players drawing attention ahead of the Ghana match, there was a misunderstanding during the press conference when Coach Bento’s initial Portuguese remarks were translated into Korean, leading to the mistaken belief that neither player would be able to play. Bento corrected this after repeated questions from the press.
Coach Bento expressed confidence, saying, "Our shared goal is to show our capabilities as we did against Uruguay and to win tomorrow. I do not feel any pressure, and I hope the players do not feel it either."
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