South Korea Faces Setback in Pursuit of Paris Summer Games Spot

Courtesy of Korea Professional Football League

South Korean forward Yang Hyun-jun, who plays for Celtic FC, will be unable to participate in the upcoming Olympic men's football qualifiers due to club obligations, according to the Korea Football Association (KFA). The national football federation confirmed Friday that Yang's Scottish club declined to release him for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Asian Cup, which serves as the Olympic qualifying tournament.

As a consequence, head coach Hwang Sun-hong has selected Incheon United winger Hong Si-hoo as Yang's replacement. The announcement came shortly before the team's departure for Dubai to establish a training camp ahead of the AFC tournament, scheduled to commence in Qatar on April 15.
 

▲ Courtesy of Korea Professional Football LeagueThe AFC U-23 Asian Cup will also serve as the qualifying event for the Paris Olympics, with the top three teams securing spots in France, and the fourth-place team facing Guinea in a playoff.

Yang, one of five overseas-based players named to the squad, would have been a crucial component of South Korea's offensive lineup due to his speed and power. Despite earning three caps for the senior national team, Yang's participation was uncertain as the AFC tournament falls outside the FIFA international match calendar, relieving clubs of the obligation to release their players.

Meanwhile, Celtic FC is engaged in a tight race with Rangers for the Scottish Premiership title, leading by a single point with Rangers having a match in hand.

In the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, South Korea is placed in Group B alongside the United Arab Emirates, China, and Japan. The country has participated in every Olympic men's football tournament since the under-23 age limit was introduced in 1992.

Sayart

Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com