Lee Eun-Young-Go Yoo-Na faces injury risk before first game
Former U-20 international and promising forward
South Korea’s squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand includes reserves Lee Eun-young (21) and Go Yuna (21). They are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Oh Hyun-gyu (Celtic), who traveled to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as a reserve without a number.
Head coach Colleen Bell’s women’s squad includes 23 players, including Ji So-yeon, Cho So-hyun, Lee Geum-min and Park Eun-sun, as well as reserves Lee Eun-young and Kim Yoo-na.
Lee will travel with the team to Australia to cover any injuries. The tournament rules allow for roster changes up to 24 hours before the first game against Colombia on Sept. 25.
The men’s national soccer team also had a similar situation with Lee Eun-young and Kim Yoo-na. Last year’s World Cup 2022 in Qatar included Oh Hyun-gyu as a reserve in addition to the final 26-man roster.
Despite training without a number, Oh was able to lift the team’s spirits and make an invisible contribution to the team’s run to the round of 16. After a disappointing World Cup as a reserve, Oh was rewarded with a move to Celtic in Scotland after the tournament, where he helped the team qualify for Europe.
Like Oh, Lee Eun-young and Koo Gi-na are looking to make the leap from the reserves. The pair competed in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup last year, but were eliminated in the group stage.
Lee Eun-young is an accomplished attacker who was first called up to the South Korean women’s national team in 2020. With her speed and dribbling, she is recognized as a talented attacker for the next generation.
Yoo is a 6-foot-2 forward. She has the speed to run the 100 meters in the 12-13 second range.
They are determined to gain experience at the World Cup.
“Even though I didn’t make the final roster, I’m grateful to be a reserve member and continue to train with my sisters and experience the World Cup indirectly, so I’m working hard,” said Lee Eun-young.
“Since I’m on the reserve list, I can’t say for sure that I’ll be able to play, but I think it will be a great experience for the future,” she said.
Koo was also grateful for the call-up. “I was surprised to be selected for the first A team, but the coach gave me a good opportunity, so I’m excited to follow along and gain experience,” he said.
“Even though I won’t be able to join the final roster for the World Cup, 고스톱 I will do my best in my position,” he said, adding, “I hope Korea will give me a lot of support.”