Another year, another Lee Gi-hyuk data masterclass. 🏅100th percentile: Aerial duels won per 90 🏅100th percentile: Touches per 90 🏅100th percentile: Successful passes per 90 🥈94th percentile: Duels won per 90 🥈86th percentile: Accurate long balls per 90

Some solid performances from 🇰🇷 footballers in Europe this past week, including: -Oh Hyeon-gyu with a brace off the bench (9 goals in only 432 minutes) -Seol Young-woo's 6th league goal of the season -Yang Min-hyeok & Bae Jun-ho both score in the same match -Jens Castrop assist

This is what happens with some players. Yes, by the data Park Yongwoo could be rated highly. But by watching certain moments, Park was easily one of Korea's worst players and a constant liability.

HT 1-1. Great corner kick from Son and thundering finish from Jaesung. It should NOT be 1-1, though. Park Yongwoo deserves to be substituted at half for a needless turnover that gifted Jordan a possession that led to the goal. All to do in the second half. #Roadto26

On paper, this doesn't seem like a good lineup. The squad has a lot on the line here, players have to deliver, and pressure is on the manager.

Germany × South Korea 🇩🇪 🤝 🇰🇷 Over the past 40+ years, Germany has steadily become one of South Korea's strongest pathways into Europe. Let's take a brief look at the footballing history between the two countries and what this relationship has built. [THREAD]

The Deutsche Fußball Liga has signed a partnership agreement with the KFA until 2028, ensuring that Germany becomes a top development destination for South Korean footballing talent. #DFL

Für Hyunseok Hong läuft es bei Mainz 05 weiterhin nicht nach Plan. Der Südkoreaner, der im Sommer für vier Millionen Euro aus Gent kam, spielt unter Trainer Bo Henriksen bislang nur eine Nebenrolle. Mehr als Kurzeinsätze sind für den 25-Jährigen in dieser Saison nicht… #bundesliga #kickbase #sorare

The FS man with Tuhon, Kevin Kim, posted his thoughts on the 1-1 draw with Oman on his Substack. Read and Subcribe for more from Kevin here: open.substack.com/pub/tuh0n/p/...

Reminder that tomorrow Korea-Oman will stream live via AFC PPV on @onefootball1.bsky.social. Purchase a pass here: onefootball.com/match/251836...

When you work with your best friend so now everything is a two-person job

📹 NEW VIDEO 📹 Is it best for #LeeKangin to transfer away from PSG this summer? Albert Kim and PJ break down all the angles surrounding a possible move for Kangin in the summer. Watch here and don't forget to subscribe for more videos soon! youtu.be/NfBk2ft0L0c?...

One year later and this old post still rings true. Landing Jens Castrop would be a coup for the KNT. His intensity and quickness would be a great long-term fit next to Hwang In-beom as the latter ages. And he also can play FB, simultaneously shoring up two positions of need.

NEW BIBIMBALLERS 📹 Albert and PJ break down the KNT March call-ups, with their thoughts on some surprising choices and players who were overlooked for a spot! Give it a watch here: youtu.be/qGsuOjonR4w?...

Here is the KNT squad for March World Cup Qualifiers.

21 year old Kim Jun-hong, starting in goal for DC United in both league games of new MLSseason has been ok-ish, letting in 4 goals in 2 games. Game1: Nervy in 1st shot against him (ball slips under, near disaster but goes out wide). Hesitant to come off his line=first goal conceded 1/x

✍️💭 SCOUTING THREAD Here are some of my takeaways & observations of the South Korean national team from the 2025 U20 Asian Cup. 📷: KFA Start with #1 below ⬇️

Once again, Chung Mong-gyu has won the election to be the KFA President. Over his tenure, he has had a lot of public failures and little sustained success. We break down his tenure and look ahead to another term on Substack. Read and subscribe below! open.substack.com/pub/fighting...

ICYMI U20 wrap up: Good: Shin Min-ha, wingers, Kim Tae-won's finishing, Seong Shin/Son Seung-min in midfield, the 9s' physicality, Hong Sung-min's shot-stopping Areas of improvement: Kang Ju-hyeok's over-reliance on pace, the CAM's lack of presence, GK decision making, FB play

Saudi Arabia was well drilled defensively & South Korea seemed too predictable in attack. Not enough central movement or presence to draw out the CBs. One bright spot was Shin Min-ha who was immense today & was arguably the most consistent 🇰🇷 player this tournament.

To watch the KFA election, watch the live stream here : www.youtube.com/live/gKCvKi-...

Yongin Mireu Stadium is becoming a popular neutral site with its 37k capacity, somewhat remote location (a lack of high-profile non-⚽ events), and no permanent tenant. Jeonbuk's ACL2 QF w/ Sydney FC was relocated because of the current pitch issues at Jeonju WC Stadium. 🔗: v.daum.net/v/9JwZKPMU9j

The rescheduled KFA presidential election will be Wednesday at 2 PM KST, with all 3 candidates giving final speeches at 1 PM. 🔗: en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2025...

Lee Jae-sung went to Europe just before he turned 26. He's a testament to the fact that Asian players can have successful careers in Europe after 25. After his goal & assist yesterday, he now has seven straight seasons of at least 7 G/A. Underrated level of production.

K League 1 is finally added to my match report app! Games will be a little delayed, so instead of being added within a day of them ending, it'll be a few days upwards to a week 👉 football-match-reports.streamlit.app #KLeague

U20 Asian Cup: South Korea 1-1 Japan This was a cagey match & result that neither side will be happy with. 🇰🇷 lacked cohesive progression into the final third & looked short of chemistry with several changes in the lineup 🇯🇵 should be disappointed to concede the late goal

“I want to be a general manager in South Korea. I just want to create a new team and make it different to other clubs.” 🎶⚽️ interview with Birmingham City midfielder & Korea Republic legend Cho So-hyun 🇰🇷 beatsandrhymesfc.com/cho-so-hyun-... #bcfcwomen #bcfc #BarclaysWC #kro (📸 BCFC)

🇰🇷 NT stars have had an 📈📉 season. Whether it's 🏥, a burst of form followed by struggles, or players struggling to get minutes, Paul Jeung wondered if the KNT "Golden Generation" was a mirage. Subscribe to our Substack for our latest delivered to your 📥. open.substack.com/pub/fighting...

On goalkeeper Kim Joon Hong continuing to improve his English and communicate with teammates, Lesense says: "He's spoken perfect English a few times during team meetings. Amazing. Full sentences. And then his communication on the field is quite good."

Park Seung-soo was my MOTM. Thailand struggled to deal with his directness & efficient work in small spaces. Nice versatility with his runs in behind as well. Needs time to develop but is a super talented kid, especially at 17. #AFCU20

Decent week for 🇰🇷 players in Europe. Seol Young-woo with three goals in his last two matches Clean sheets for Lee Han-beom & Kim Min-jae Bae Jun-ho's first goal Glad to see Lee Han-beom finally get a run out for FC Midtjylland (his first league start since last September).

Good to see some goals this past week from 🇰🇷 players in Europe. 1️⃣ Kim Min-su is now up to 9 goals in 15 league matches for Girona B after his brace. 2️⃣ Oh Hyeon-gyu's winning goal was his 8th goal for Genk. 3️⃣ Seol Young-woo scores his 3rd league goal in a 6-0 win.

Player Profile #2: Shin Min-ha, Gangwon's Service-Denying CB 🚫 Another article, another U20 prospect out of South Korea. We continue my new biweekly format with a promising CB who excels at making life difficult for 9s with their back to goal. Check it out below ⬇️

The progress will be incremental, but seeing more 🇰🇷🏃‍♀️⚽ signing outside of Korea will improve the NT. Challenging themselves in high-level leagues will only improve their play as a squad, just as it has for the men.

Brainstormed what a 🇰🇷 starting XI could look like at the U20 Asian Cup next week. Yun Do-young & Park Seung-soo's directness could mesh well with Ha Jung-woo's physicality up top, while Jin Tae-ho's ball striking could be useful to follow up on any potential knockdowns.

D.C. United first-half lineup vs Charleston Battery in Palm Beach Gardens, FL: Kim Joon Hong; Derek Dodson, Lucas Bartlett, Kye Rowles, David Schnegg; Boris Enow, Matti Peltola; Jared Stroud, Gabriel Pirani, João Peglow; Christian Benteke.

Meet Hoyeon 👋🇰🇷

Footballist reports that the KNT's coaching staff met with Jens Castrop in Germany during their January scouting trip in 🇪🇺. Castrop can play as winger, CM, or in defense. Initial meeting to discuss plans from both sides, w/ further meetings needed for Castrop to commit to representing 🇰🇷.

The return of a champion 🏆

Player Profile #1: '05 Son Seung-min, Daegu FC's Intel Collector 🕵️ As previously announced, I hope to spotlight promising players in South Korea & Europe. Tentatively shooting for a biweekly release, but things can change. Check it out below ⬇️ Appreciate any and all feedback!

D.C. United lineup for preseason opener vs NY Red Bulls in Bradenton: Kim; Dodson, Bartlett, Tubbs, academy player; Enow, Kijima, Peglow, Pirani, academy player, Benteke. Different 11 in the second half, including trialists. No TV or live stream.

Via @andynaylorbrighton.bsky.social, BHFC are interested in adding Yun Doyoung!

Yun Do-young to Brighton would be so much fun. I'm just imagining him playing with Malick Yalcouye in a few years. Incredible energy levels in OOP and transitions. He'll have some strong, young competition for places though, considering Minteh and Gruda play RW.

Re: Kim Myung-jun ➡️ Genk The KNT needs a goalscorer to take over for Son Heung-min one day. Lee Kang-in will provide some ofc, but having another reliable scorer is crucial. Will one of Kim Myung-jun, Oh Hyeon-gyu, or Lee Young-jun step up at the 9 over the next few years? Only time will tell.

Before I start posting some of my new work, here's a previous scouting report I made on FK Radnički Niš's Jo Jin-ho, on loan from Fenerbahce. He's the kind of player you want on your team, but hate to play against. He's an absolute dawg. Aggressive, tenacious, technical.

Gwangju FC midfielder Jung Ho-yeon looks set to join fellow countryman Jeong Sang-bin at MLS team Minnesota United. But who is Jung and what kind of career has he had in the K League?

Every transfer window, a few 🇰🇷 players sign in Europe, whether in a smaller 🇪🇺 country, in the lower divisions of 🇩🇪, etc. What are your thoughts on these moves? Do you get excited for the player or worry they'll never make it to a big-time 1st tier starting role?

The data speaks for itself, Lee Kang-in is the ultimate technical passer. Utter dominance across the board in terms of chance creation, ball retention, and accuracy. Maintaining that level of passing efficiency with this level of creativity is insanely difficult.

Kim Min-su now has 7 goals in 11 matches for Girona B this season. He has things to work on, such as his decision making in the final third, but the talent is there. Could see him & his pace eventually replacing Hwang Hee-chan on the KNT as the latter declines.

Another surprising bit of 🇰🇷⚽ news was the 🇮🇩NT firing Shin Tae-yong as their manager this week! Indonesian journalist Firdie Idris spoke about Shin's time with Pasukan Garuda and why he was let go. youtu.be/SZqmMPjq7kY?...