Australia’s first appearance at the upcoming EAFF East Asian Cup will be against Korea Republic on Saturday night with the hosts eager to restore some national pride after some sub-par performances of late.
Australia-s first appearance at the upcoming EAFF East Asian Cup will be against Korea Republic on Saturday night with the hosts eager to restore some national pride after some sub-par performances of late.
Their 23-man squad is comprised of players from their domestic K-League as well as Japan-s J-League and the Chinese Super League.
The side having to do without their European stars such as Bayer Leverkusen striker Son Heung-min and Swansea City midfielder Ki Sung-yueng as the EAFF East Asian Cup is not a FIFA sanctioned event and therefore clubs are not obliged to release their players.
The Cup will be the first international tournament for new Head Coach Hong Myung-bo, who previously coached the country to the Olympic bronze medal in London last year.
Hong replaces Choi Kang-hee who was sacked last month despite the former boss guiding Korea Republic to qualification for an eighth consecutive World Cup.
The reason being Korea Republic only scrapped into an automatic place for Brazil by one goal-difference, after losing it-s final match at home to Iran.
This EAFF East Asian Cup is being viewed as a rebuilding opportunity for the proud footballing nation and they will obviously be tough opposition for the Socceroos on home soil.
Australia play Korea Republic on Saturday July 20 at 7:30pm (AEST).
All of Australia's matches at the EAFF East Asian Cup will be shown live on Fox Sports.
Korea Republic squad for EAFF East Asian Cup
Goalkeepers Lee Beom-Young - Busan IPark Jung Sung-Ryong - Suwon Samsung Defenders Kim Jin-Soo - Albirex Nligata Kim Min-Woo - Sagan Tosu Kim Young-Gwon - Guahgnzhou Evergrande Jang Hyun-Soo - FC Tokyo Hong Jeong-Ho - Jeju United Hwang Seok-Ho Sanfrecce Hiroshima Lee Yong - Ulsan Hyundai Kim Chang-Soo - Kashiwa Reysol Midfielders Ko Mu-Yeol - Pohang Steelers Yeom Ki-Hun - Police FC Lee Seung-Gi - Jeonbuk Hyundai Yun Il-Lok - FC Seoul Ko Yo-Han - FC Seoul Cho Young-Chul - Omiya Ardija Park Jong-Woo - BusanIPark Lee Myung-Ju - Pohang Steelers Ha Dae-Sung - FC Seoul Han Kook-Young - Shonan Bellmare Forwards Kim Shin-Wook - Ulsan Hyundai Kim Dong-Sub - Seongnam Ilhwa Seo Dong-Hyun - Jeju United