Coach Bento: "Injured Hwang Hee-chan and Kim Min-jae Uncertain for Portugal Match"

Coach Bento: "Both are in training but their participation is uncertain"

On the 1st (local time), one day before the third group stage match against Portugal in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Coach Paulo Bento held a press conference at the media center (MMC) set up at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The participation of Kim Minjae (26, Napoli) and Hwang Hee-chan (26, Wolverhampton) in the match against Portugal has become uncertain.

Paulo Bento, the coach, stated at a press conference held on the 1st (local time) at the Main Media Center (MMC) in Al Rayyan, Qatar, ahead of the third group stage match of Group H in the 2022 Qatar World Cup against Portugal, that the possibility of Kim Minjae and Hwang Hee-chan playing despite their injuries is "uncertain."

First, regarding Kim Minjae's participation, Coach Bento said, "No decision has been made yet," and added, "We will observe the situation until tomorrow."

Kim Minjae started in the first match against Uruguay and the second match against Ghana. Despite injuring the muscles in his right calf during the Uruguay match, he played almost the full time in the Ghana match.

Kim Minjae, who was unable to participate in training before the Ghana match, is currently resting at the accommodation ahead of the Portugal match.

Hwang Hee-chan joined the national team while suffering from a hamstring injury (muscle behind the thigh) at his club. Due to slow recovery, he missed both the Uruguay and Ghana matches. However, Hwang Hee-chan participated in the national team's training after the Ghana match, raising expectations for his participation.

Coach Bento explained, "Although Hwang Hee-chan is training, I cannot say for sure whether he will play in the Portugal match."

Korea lost 2-3 to Ghana in the second match, eliminating the possibility of advancing to the round of 16 by themselves. Currently holding 1 draw and 1 loss, Korea must win the final match against Portugal and then watch the result of the simultaneous match between Ghana and Uruguay to confirm advancement to the round of 16.

So far, the best scenario is that Korea wins against Portugal and Uruguay beats Ghana 1-0.