Seoul: Feyenoord midfielder Hwang In-beom will not be available to play for South Korea in two upcoming friendly matches in the United States due to a calf injury. The Korea Football Association announced that Seo Min-woo of Gangwon FC has been called up as his replacement.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hwang suffered a calf muscle injury while playing for his Dutch club on August 17 and was substituted at halftime. His absence is seen as a significant setback for coach Hong Myung-bo, as Hwang has played a crucial role in the midfield.
Seo, 27, returns to the national team after making his senior international debut at the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship in July. He first appeared as a substitute against China and later started matches against Hong Kong and Japan. In the United States, Seo will vie for a starting role alongside midfielders Park Yong-woo, Paik Seung-ho, Park Jin-seop, Kim Jin-gyu, and Jens Castrop.
The national team is set to depart from Incheon International Airport, located west of Seoul, on Monday to face the U.S. on September 7 and Mexico on September 10.