Many of Colin Belho’s key players, such as Ji So-yeon, Choi Yu-ri, and Shim Seo-yeon, are scheduled to miss the first match against Zambia.
The Korean women’s national soccer team, led by coach Bell, will play the first friendly match against Zambia at Suwon World Cup Stadium at 7:00 pm on the 7th. Belho will play two consecutive matches with Zambia on the 7th, followed by the 2nd match on the 11th, ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
On the 5th, Belho had a training session ahead of the 2nd A match against Zambia at the National Training Center (NFC) in Paju.
Twenty-three out of 27 players came to the practice field and were divided into main and non-main teams for training. Among them, Ji So-yeon, Shim Seo-yeon (Suwon FC), Choi Yuri (Incheon Hyundai Steel), and Lee Geum-min (Brighton) did not appear at the stadium.
According to an official from the Korea Football Association,스포츠토토 Ji So-yeon is in a difficult situation to play in the first leg due to an ankle injury in the 2023 WK League 3rd round confrontation between Suwon FC and Incheon held on the 31st of last month. Choi Yu-ri and Shim Seo-yeon have injuries to their right hamstring and right knee, so it seems difficult to play in the first game.
However, Lee Geum-min was excluded from training on the morning of the 5th in order to adjust his condition as he was enlisted after a long flight from England the day before training.
All three players who were unable to train due to injuries are players who play key roles in the national team. Ji So-yeon has been functioning as a build-up center in midfield. Shim Seo-yeon is the main center back, and Choi Yu-ri is also a side striker, and has been on Bell’s starting list.
Previously, Bellho had Ryu Ji-su (Seoul City Hall), Kang Chae-rim, and Jang Chang (above Incheon) out of the call due to injuries. The key to the first match against Zambia is how to fill the gap caused by an unexpected injury.