Latest update on Stoke City playmaker Bae Junho from South Korea.
Bae Junho has been called back up to South Korea’s senior squad after only one appearance with the under-22 team.
The Stoke City playmaker, 21, was surprised to be included in the youth team for this summer’s internationals, but a brilliant performance against Australia has propelled him into the main group.
According to the Seoul press, Junho was “the player who stood out the most from both teams” in the draw with Australia, and he will now participate in a World Cup qualifier against Kuwait next Tuesday. Korea defeated Iraq 2-0 on Thursday, with Ali Al Hamadi receiving a red card.
According to Sports Q, Bae Junho, who played as an offensive midfielder versus Australia, served as a lubricant for the team’s attack, moving freely between the midfield and the front line. During the procedure, he drew everyone’s attention by producing several intense attack sequences.
Junho conceded, as his coach Lee Min-seong recommended, that he wasn’t quite at full tilt after a hiatus since the end of the season, as the under-22s prepare to begin their qualification for the 2026 Asian Games.
He told reporters, “I don’t think I’m in 100 percent condition, like the coach suggested, but I believe I showed (some) degree of performance since I’ve been working constantly.
Given how long it has been since I last played, I believe it was not too bad. I’ll keep up the pace with lots of training and give you a terrific performance.
“Unlike the senior national team, I believe I need to lead the under-22s. I’m playing with a different perspective and level of responsibility. Everyone, including myself, understands the importance of the Asian Games. I’ll play till my body gives out to win without worrying about anything else.”
Junho faced more worries regarding his future at Stoke as transfer rumours swirled this summer. He said, “It’s difficult to say for sure. Nothing has been decided yet.
Whatever happens in the future, I will try my best. Min-seong, who previously coached Junho at Daejeon Hana Citizen, has been in contact with senior manager Hong Myung-bo concerning the player and which squad he should be with for the next few days.
He stated, “Bae Junho is a player who can perform well even if he only plays for 45 minutes.” I think he’ll perform well once he discovers his situation.
The European players, notably Bae Junho, are in poor shape (they joined after the season). They were called up on holiday and trained separately, so their physical condition wasn’t ideal. I wanted to use them until the second half, but I limited their playing time due to their injuries.”
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