Lee Ki-hyuk #3

Profile

In a final squad selection that offered few surprises, the defender’s inclusion stands out as the solitary, genuine wildcard. Comfortable in possession, the left-footed Lee is handy in building from the back and has a natural willingness to drive forward, meaning he is also expected to provide cover as a defensive midfielder. Lee first entered the professional ranks as a midfielder but was, by most accounts, a peripheral figure. However, after moving to Gangwon, manager Yoon Jong-hwan converted him into a defender – a decision that propelled his career forward, transforming him into one of the K League’s finest centre-backs. Lee was called up by South Korea and had to do some homework: "I want to watch Hwang In-beom closely and learn as much as I can from him," he said. Interestingly, his childhood footballing blueprint was Manchester United’s utility man John O’Shea. Off the pitch, Lee boasts a diverse athletic background as a Taekwondo black belt.

Key stats