The Korea Professional Football Association (KPFA) today announced the final 22-man roster for the Team K League, which will take on Atletico Madrid (Spain) in the Coupang Play Series.
Team K League will face Atletico, ranked 16th in the 2023-24 UEFA Club Rankings, at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on 27 April. The Spanish side is ranked second in the European league.
The 22-man roster is the result of a combination of fan voting and Team K League head coach Hong Myung-bo’s selection. You can’t argue with fairness.
From left to right, Bacco, Ras, Ko Young-joon, Yoon Beom-garam, and Baek Sung-dong in their 2023 K League 1 profiles. Photo: Korea Football Association
Facing Atletico is a chance to showcase your skills internationally. The 2022 K League 1 Young Player of the Year (Under-23 MVP) Yang Hyun-joon (21-Celtic) is a good example of this.메이저놀이터
Yang signed for Celtic (Scotland), ranked 53rd in the European club rankings, in the summer transfer window of 2023, after playing 30 minutes in the Coupang Play Series against Tottenham (England) for Gangwon FC last July.
Ulsan Hyundai’s Bako (30-Georgia), Suwon FC’s Lars Veltwijk (32-South Africa), Pohang Steelers’ Ko Young-joon (22) and Suwon FC’s Yoon Beom-garam (33-Suwon FC) were unable to join Atletico despite being tied for third in the number of best 11 selections in the KFA’s 2023 K League 1 Round 1.
Baco and Lars have both played for the Dutch side, who are fifth in the Eredivisie standings. The 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League MVP Yoon Beom-garam is a veteran in his mid-30s. That’s why there was more of a mixed reaction when Ko Young-joon, who is in his early 20s, was not selected for the Team K League.
This season, Go has established himself as one of the top players in the K League 1, ranking fifth in goals scored, third in the number of times he has been named the KFA’s match MVP, eighth in free kicks won, and 36.8 per cent in effective shooting percentage.
Go’s Pohang teammate Baek Sung-dong (32) is also in the top five in assists and attacking points, making him an integral part of any discussion of the 2023 KFA First Division. It’s no wonder he’s on the roster against Atletico.
This player is not on the roster against Atletico in the Team K League?
- Korean Professional Football Association records until 19 July
Baco (Ulsan Hyundai)
Ulsan Bacco celebrates after winning the 2023 K League 1 home match against FC Seoul. Photo courtesy of the KFA
1st in goals scored
1st in shots on target
1st in rating for players with 22+ games
3rd in Attack Points
3rd in Best 11 Rounds
Effective Shot Scoring Rate 31.4
Ras (Suwon FC)
Suwon FC’s Ras battles for the ball during their 2023 K League 1 home match against Gangwon FC. Photo courtesy of the Korea Football Association
1st in Match MVP
2nd in attacking points
3rd in round-robin best 11
4th in goals scored
Effective shooting percentage 36.4
Ko Young-joon (Pohang Steelers)
Pohang’s Ko Young-joon runs in the 2023 K League 1 away match against Gwangju FC. Photo courtesy of the Korea Football Association
Match MVP 3rd
Round of 16 Best 11 3rd
5th in goals scored
8th in free kicks won
36.8 per cent of shots on target
Yoon Beet-Garam (Suwon FC)
Suwon FC’s Yoon Beom-garam celebrates after winning the 2023 K League 1 home match against Daejeon Hana Citizen. Photo courtesy of the Korea Football Association
Round of 16 Best 11 3rd
5th in goals scored
Shots on target 41.2
Baek Seong-dong (Pohang Steelers)
Pohang’s Baek Sung-dong celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2023 K League 1 home match against Daejeon Hana Citizen. Photo courtesy of the Korea Football Association
1st in assists
5th in offence points