(World Cup) Injured defender Kim Min-jae to start vs. Ghana

Sports 20:56 November 28, 2022

By Yoo Jee-ho

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov. 28 (Yonhap) -- Injured South Korean defender Kim Min-jae will start against Ghana on Monday in the teams' second Group H match of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Kim will play through a right calf muscle injury at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, west of Doha, against 61st-ranked Ghana.

South Korean defender Kim Min-jae enters the practice field at Al Egla Training Site in Doha in preparation for the FIFA World Cup on Nov. 27, 2022. (Yonhap)

Kim picked up the injury during South Korea's goalless draw with Uruguay last Thursday. He missed training sessions the next two days, and returned for some light cardio workout Saturday.

Head coach Paulo Bento said at his prematch press conference on Sunday that he would have to check Kim's condition Monday morning before deciding on the player's availability.

South Korea, world No. 28, have never won their second match at a World Cup, with four draws and six losses in 10 previous tries.

There will be three new players Monday compared to the starting XI against Uruguay. Cho Gue-sung will get his first World Cup start at forward over Hwang Ui-jo. Kwon Chang-hoon and Jeong Woo-yeong will be the attacking midfielders, replacing Na Sang-ho and Lee Jae-sung. Kwon and Jeong will join captain Son Heung-min, back in the lineup wearing a protective mask over his surgically repaired face.

The four defenders are the same as last week, with Kim Jin-su, Kim Young-gwon, Kim Min-jae and Kim Moon-hwan lining up from left to right.

Hwang In-beom and Jung Woo-young will once again man midfield, and goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu will make his second straight start in net.