On Thursday, South Korean coach Hwang Sun-hong expressed his frustration that the French champion did not clarify whether Lee would participate in the Hangju Games or not.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder joined Saint-Germain for $22 million this summer from Spanish club Real Mallorca, but he missed last month due to a thigh injury from which he has now recovered.
“After discussions, Saint-Germain and the South Korean Football Association reached an agreement on the night of September 14 that Lee Kang-in will be available to play for South Korea after Tuesday’s Champions League match,” the South Korean Football Association said in a statement.
He continued, “Li is scheduled to leave France on Wednesday for Hangzhou, China, to join the South Korean national football team participating in the Asian Games.”
Saint-Germain hosts Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. On the same day, South Korea begins its journey towards a third consecutive gold medal in the Games, when it plays against Kuwait.
Lee, who has played 14 international matches for his country, is expected to be in Hangju to play Thursday’s group stage match against Thailand.
Players under 24 years of age are limited to participating in men’s teams, with the exception of three over the age.
The star Son Heung-min led South Korea to the gold medal in 2018, but the English Tottenham striker will be absent this time, which puts more burden on Lee.
© 2023 AFP
2023-09-15 06:05:08
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