Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae has been dropped from the South Korea squad ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The 28-year-old center-back is suffering from inflammation in his Achilles tendon, the Korean Football Association confirmed on Saturday.
Kim, a key figure in South Korea's defense, was originally named in coach Hong Myung-bo's 28-man squad earlier this week. This injury setback means he'll also miss Bayern's Bundesliga clash with Union Berlin this weekend.
"We decided Kim Min-jae would need to take time to receive treatment on his left Achilles tendonitis and rehab during the international break," the KFA explained. They're still weighing whether to call up a replacement player to fill the gap left by Kim's absence.
Defensive Reshuffle for South Korea
With Kim sidelined, coach Hong will need to rethink his defensive strategy. The squad now has just three center-back options available: Cho Yu-min from Sharjah, Jung Seung-hyun from Al-Wasl, and Kwon Kyung-won from Khor Fakkan.
This defensive shake-up comes at a crucial moment for South Korea. The Taegeuk Warriors currently sit top of their qualification group with an impressive 14 points from six matches. They've secured four wins and two draws so far, putting them in pole position to qualify.
What makes these upcoming fixtures particularly significant is that South Korea could mathematically secure World Cup qualification with two games to spare. Victories against Oman on March 20 and Jordan on March 25 would punch their ticket to the 2026 tournament in North America.
Qualification Picture Remains Bright
Despite Kim's absence, South Korea remain heavy favorites to qualify. They hold a three-point advantage over second-placed Iraq in Group B. Jordan sits third with nine points, while Oman trails further behind in fourth place with just six points.
The qualification format means the top two teams from each group automatically progress to the World Cup finals. Teams finishing third and fourth enter an additional round of Asian qualifying, offering another pathway to the tournament.
For bettors eyeing these crucial qualifiers, South Korea's home advantage and strong position should still make them favorites against both Oman and Jordan. However, Kim's absence might narrow the expected margin of victory, potentially creating value in handicap markets.
The defender's injury also raises questions about his availability for Bayern Munich's upcoming fixtures after the international break. This could have implications for Bayern's Bundesliga campaign and their Champions League aspirations, where defensive stability is crucial.
