South Korea will face Uruguay in a friendly match at Seoul World Cup Stadium on September 28, with Atletico Madrid winger Lee Kang-in set to start as a right winger, according to reports.
Lee Kang-in will make his first appearance under interim coach Robert Moreno after sitting out South Korea’s previous match against Ecuador on September 24. Moreno indicated he plans to deploy Lee in the same role the player holds at his club team. “The player is playing happily, and it is rash to change the position,” Moreno said regarding Lee’s positioning.
Lee will lead South Korea’s attack on the right wing, with Son Heung-min, Oh Hyun-kyu, and Hwang Hee-chan handling the left side. Though primarily positioned on the wing, Lee can move into the center to function as a playmaker depending on match circumstances.
Since joining Atletico Madrid, Lee has recorded two goals and one assist in eight games. While his goal output remains modest, he has demonstrated creative influence on matches and earned La Liga MVP honors twice during his time at the Spanish club.
Uruguay presents a significant challenge for South Korea. The South American team ranks 20th in FIFA standings, 12 positions above South Korea’s current 32nd ranking. Uruguay features several players from top European clubs, including Rodrigo Bentancourt (Tottenham), Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray), and Darwin Núñez.
The Uruguayan defense includes Ronald Araujo (Liverpool) and Matthias Olivera (Napoli), both playing for elite European sides. Lee’s creative abilities will be tested against this experienced defensive lineup.
Uruguay’s recent form has been inconsistent, with one win, two draws, and seven losses in recent matches, positioning them as a challenging but potentially beatable opponent for the South Korean team.
Key facts
- Lee Kang-in will start as right winger for South Korea against Uruguay on September 28 in Seoul
- Lee makes his debut under interim coach Robert Moreno after sitting out the Ecuador match
- Uruguay ranks 20th in FIFA standings, 12 places above South Korea (32nd)
- Lee has two goals and one assist in eight games since joining Atletico Madrid
- Uruguay’s defense includes Ronald Araujo (Liverpool) and Matthias Olivera (Napoli)