Kim Min-jae (26, Naples) seems difficult to play in a friendly A match in June.
On the 28th, an official from Kim Min-jae’s side said, “We did not receive the date of enlistment for military training from the Military Manpower Administration. Nothing has been specifically decided, but it is certain that he will have to enlist in June.”
The Korea Football Association (KFA) also said, “It would be nice if Min-jae Kim participated in an A match in June and entered military training, but nothing has been decided yet. I know that the Military Manpower Administration is coordinating. Jurgen Klinsmann, the coach of the national soccer team, knows this.”
The national soccer team led by coach Klinsman will play a friendly A match against Peru on June 16 and El Salvador on the 20. This is the 3rd and 4th A match after Klinsman took over as manager. In their two friendly matches held in March, they drew 2-2 with Colombia and lost 1-2 to Uruguay.
Kim Min-jae participated in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, won a gold medal and received military service benefits. As a result, Kim Min-jae can complete his military service by completing military training and completing 544 hours of volunteer work within 34 months. Asian Games mates such as Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), and Lee Seung-woo (Suwon FC) went through the same process.
Kim Min-jae recently met coach Klinsman in Italy. Coach Klinsman went on a business trip for about two weeks from mid-April to directly check the performance of European players. On this business trip, I met Son Heung-min, Oh Hyun-kyu (Celtic), Kim Min-jae, Lee Jae-seong (Mainz), and Jung Woo-young (Freiburg).
Director Klinsman, who arrived at Incheon International Airport on the 26th, said, “Thanks to Kim Min-jae’s absence, we met with time to spare. We had a meal together near Naples and talked a lot.” Kim Min-jae missed the second leg after receiving a warning in the first leg of the European Football Federation (UEFA) Champions League (UCL) against AC Milan. Initially, coach Klinsman was scheduled to watch the second game.
Director Klinsman said, “Kim Min-jae confided in his feelings. The current environment Kim Min-jae is in is a situation that no one can imagine. Soon he could win Serie A. Now, psychologically, I am very stable. Looking forward to the next convocation. He played well before Juventus, so I hope he continues to do the same.” ㅋㅋㅋ벳
If Kim Min-jae falls into an A-match in June, he must find a new defender. Manager Klinsman said, “I plan to watch and check many games before the call. While in Europe, advisor Cha Du-ri and coach Michael Kim (Kim Young-min) inspected K-League players in Korea. New players may be called up. We will also watch the upcoming U20 World Cup.”