Injured midfielder Hwang In-beom removed from nat'l team roster ahead of friendlies in US
Feyenoord midfielder Hwang In-beom looks to pass during a Group B match between Korea and Kuwait in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualification at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait, Nov. 14, 2024. Newsis
Feyenoord midfielder Hwang In-beom will not be available to play for Korea in two upcoming friendly matches in the United States due to a calf injury.
The Korea Football Association said Friday that Seo Min-woo of Gangwon FC has been called up as his replacement.
Hwang suffered a calf muscle injury while playing for his Dutch club on Aug. 17 and was substituted at halftime. His absence is seen as a significant setback for coach Hong Myung-bo as Hwang has been a key figure in the midfield.
Seo, 27, returns to the national team after making his senior international debut at the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship in July. He first appeared as a substitute against China and later started matches against Hong Kong and Japan.
In the United States, Seo will vie for a starting role, alongside midfielders Park Yong-woo, Paik Seung-ho, Park Jin-seop, Kim Jin-gyu, and Jens Castrop.
The national team will depart from Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Monday to face the U.S. on Sept. 7 and Mexico on Sept. 10.