K-League All-Stars - an expensive 'kimchi dish'

(Baonghean.vn) - On July 28th, the K-League All Stars team will arrive in Hanoi to prepare for a friendly match against the Vietnam U22 team at 8:00 PM on July 29th at My Dinh National Stadium. This is a series of matches for the Vietnam U22 team to test their lineup in preparation for the upcoming SEA Games 29.

Since the beginning of March, the organizers of the Korean professional football leagues have been planning a friendly match between K-League Classic stars and the Vietnam U22 team.

Accordingly, the K-League All-Stars team, consisting of 18 players, will play against the Vietnam U22 team at 8:00 PM on July 29th at My Dinh Stadium. The Korean side stated that all members, from the coaching staff to the players, who will be visiting and competing in Vietnam are Korean. The K-League All-Stars – a truly expensive "kimchi" treat for the U22 coaching staff, players, and Vietnamese fans ahead of the 29th SEA Games.

Expensive reagents

According to Yonhap News Agency, leading the K-League All-Stars this time is Hwang Sun-hong, head coach of FC Seoul – the reigning champions of the 2016 K-League Classic.

Leading the K-League All-Stars is Hwang Sun-hong, head coach of FC Seoul - the reigning champions of the 2016 K-League Classic. Photo: Internet

He is one of the best coaches in the K-League Classic. In the past, Coach Hwang played for the South Korean national team for 14 years, from 1988 to 2002. This shows that the South Korean side has seriously prepared for this tour in Vietnam.

It is known that South Korean players are known for their strength, stamina, and speed, and their presence in Vietnam was determined through a fan vote. Among them, the most famous is Yang Dong-hyeon, a rising star in South Korea. He currently ranks third in the K-League's scoring charts this season with 14 goals.

In addition, the South Korean All-Stars' attack also features two other outstanding players: Kim Shin-wool (Jeonbuk) and Lee Keun-ho – who has played 77 matches for the South Korean national team, won the 2012 Asian Player of the Year award, and is currently Xuan Truong's teammate at Gangwon FC.

Vietnam U22's opposing midfield features midfielder Yeom Ki-hun. Despite being 34 years old, Yeom Ki-hun is considered the best playmaker in the tournament's history.

As someone currently playing in South Korea, Xuan Truong said: “The K-League All-Stars squad coming to Vietnam this time consists of very excellent players. In Gangwon, where I play, there are two players who are defender Oh Bum Seok and forward Lee Geun Ho.”

In addition, the South Korean squad includes 1.96m tall striker Kim Shin Wook, who plays for K-League leaders Jeonbuk, and league top scorer Yang Dong Hyun (Pohang FC). There's also a left midfielder who plays for the South Korean national team. In short, it's a quality squad.”

Test the defense

With the presence of K-League top scorer Yang Dong Hyun, and top South Korean forwards Kim Shin Wook, Hwang Il Soo, and Lee Geun Ho, the U22 Vietnam defense and goalkeepers will face a tough 90 minutes. With forwards nearly 2 meters tall, possessing powerful shots, and playing without fear of physical contact, the "weak points" in the goalkeeping and central defensive positions will be exposed.

The K-League All Stars will play a friendly match against the Vietnam U22 team at 8:00 PM on July 29th at My Dinh National Stadium. (Image: Internet)

Coach Hwang Sun-hong is not here for tourism, so he will instruct his players to attack from multiple directions, pressing all over the field to push the Vietnam U22 team back into their own half.

While playing for Gangwon FC, midfielder Xuan Truong struggled against the tall and strong South Korean players, now it's the turn of Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, Quang Hai, and many other young Vietnamese players to experience this feeling.

Facing this "concrete wall," the Vietnamese players must know how to move and defend against the opponent's pressing. If the Vietnamese players can stand firm against the K-League All-Stars and play with good form, then even if they don't win, or even lose the match, Vietnamese fans will still be satisfied.

Facing stars from a footballing nation as superior as South Korea, the outcome—win or loss—is not the most important thing. Our goal remains to hone our skills and aim for the gold medal at the upcoming SEA Games 29!

AT