The much-anticipated 2023 Asian Cup is about to commence, with every team gearing up for their final chance to iron out flaws and aim for top performances in the competition. Under the guidance of Jurgen Klinsmann, South Korea's team harbors a singular ambition for this Asian Cup: to exert every effort to secure the championship and reestablish their dominance in Asian football. Despite their status as a formidable force in Asian football, the Taeguk Warriors have not claimed such a victory in over six decades, and the Korean populace's thirst for triumph is palpable.
According to the AFC's official data, the total market valuation of the 24 competing teams stands at 840 million euros, with an average team value of about 35.02 million euros, though only Japan, South Korea, Iran, and Australia have actually attained this level. These teams are naturally considered the prime contenders for the title, with the eventual winner likely to emerge from this group.
The South Korean team boasts 26 players with a combined market value of 193 million euros, which, though significant, falls short of Japan's 317 million euros, indicating a gap in squad depth. The team's strength is not lacking in prominent players, led by Asia's top talent Son Heung-min, but their second-tier players don't quite measure up to Japan's Samurai Blue in terms of strength. This minor deficit in substitute player strength could be a drawback in the extended duration of the tournament.
Offensively, South Korea features an impressive lineup including Son Heung-min and Wolverhampton's Hwang Hee-chan, who has notably hit double figures in Premier League goals in just half a season and commands the team's top salary, reaching his peak performance this season. This Asian Cup is set to be a highlight for him. Jeong Woo-yeong from SC Freiburg and Hwang In-beom from Celtic also consistently excel in Asian tournaments, especially the towering forward Jeong, who is eager to prove his worth.
In the midfield, Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain captures the spotlight with his remarkable performances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, displaying solid skills, strategic gameplay, and aptitude in both offensive and defensive transitions, though he must control his temperament. Other Europe-based players like Jeong Woo-young, Lee Jae-sung, Hwang Hee-chan, and Yang Hyun-jun also demonstrate versatility and often rotate positions during games, making the Taeguk Warriors especially formidable and challenging to counter. Having proven themselves in the World Cup qualifiers, the Asian Cup should relatively be a less daunting challenge for them.
Defensively, Kim Min-jae stands as the team's backbone, particularly after his move to Bayern Munich, where he has consistently demonstrated elite center-back skills, dominating European forwards and naturally excelling in Asian competitions. The 2023 you can try here South Korean Player of the Year, Kim Min-jae, aims to validate his award with a strong performance in the Asian Cup. However, the rest of the defense comprises a blend of experienced and young players, such as well-known figures in China like Kim Young-gwon, Kim Jin-su, and Kim Tae-hwan, alongside K League players like Lee Ki-je and Jeong Seung-hyun, who have yet to play abroad, marking a slight disparity in overall skill.
Regarding goalkeepers, Kim Seung-gyu, Song Bum-keun, and Jo Hyeon-woo hold stable positions, though Jo Hyeon-woo is no longer the primary choice, which might lead to missing out on his remarkable makeup skills.
In summary, the South Korean squad possesses substantial star quality and influential players capable of controlling matches, yet their comparative lack of depth in reserves, especially against Japan, could be decisive in important encounters. If South Korea is to surpass their arch-rivals, their success might hinge on the strategic expertise of their coach.