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Wales face South Korea on Thursday night in a friendly in what will surely be a night of experimentation for Rob Page ahead of a crucial European Championship qualifier with Latvia on Monday. Post-Gareth Bale life for Wales and Page has been far from easy thus far and a positive international break is very much needed. The match is set to take place at the Cardiff City Stadium and will kick off at 19:45 UK time.
Wales vs South Korea predicted lineups and news
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Following a positive start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, Wales endured devastating back-to-back losses in June to Armenia and Turkey which has left them very vulnerable in Group D. Although this encounter with South Korea won’t gain them any ground on those above them, a win could give them the confidence boost ahead of a trip to Latvia on Monday in what is a must-win fixture.
Wales team news
Without Gareth Bale in their ranks, Wales are certainly lacking a little bit of star power and that fact remains the same with their latest squad. Matters haven’t been helped by Dan James picking up an injury for Leeds United which means Page will be without the winger’s blistering place for the matches against South Korea and Latvia.
Another notable absentee is Tom Lockyer who has been ruled out after picking up an injury for Luton Town but aside from that Page has been relatively fortunate with injuries. Despite that, Page has made a couple of bold selection choices including the addition of Rangers’ Rabbi Matondo who has repeatedly found himself out of favour with the manager.
Page could also be set to give out debuts to Tom King, Morgan Fox and Liam Cullen with several positions in his first-choice eleven very much up for grabs following the poor results at the last international break. Aaron Ramsey is likely to be rested against South Korea to ensure he is at his best for the clash with Latvia.
Ethan Ampadu & Joe Rodon make Wales squad but Dan James (adductor) misses out. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/xM7M8ZWg45
— Adam Pope (@apopey) August 30, 2023
Wales predicted lineup
Ward; Roberts, Mepham, Rodon, Williams, Ampadu, Morrell, Brooks, Wilson, Broadhead, Moore
South Korea team news
South Korea aren’t set to play any competitive football matches until November which means this international break will act mainly as preparation for manager, Jurgen Klinsmann. The German is yet to win a game since taking charge six months ago, though, which means he could do with some positive results to get some pressure off his back.
In terms of selection, Klinsmann is set to be without PSG’s Le Kang-in who is still recovering from a muscular injury but aside from that he has selected a very strong squad which doesn’t bode well for Wales.
The key man for South Korea will once again be the captain, Son Heung-min. The Spurs forward has faced criticism in recent times for his form but looked back to his best last weekend, netting a hat-trick in his side’s 5-2 victory over Burnley. If that version of Son turns up, then Wales will do well to prevent a South Korea victory.
🎥🇰🇷 Heung-min Son training with the South Korean team inside the Cardiff City Stadium ahead of facing Wales tomorrow pic.twitter.com/fYEMWvvgtZ
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 6, 2023
South Korea predicted lineup
Seung-gyu, Young-woo, Seung-hyun, Min-jae, Ki-jee, Yong-woo, Hee-Chan, In-beom, Jae-sung, Ui-jo, Heung-Min
Will Dan James play?
Dan James has very quickly become one of Wales’ most important players but unfortunately, he will be unavailable for the match against South Korea and the Euro 2024 qualifier against Latvia that follows. The winger didn’t play in Leeds’ most recent Championship fixture due to an adductor injury and he isn’t expected back until after the international break.
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