(Asiad) Swiss-based forward late to join nat'l football team, expected during group stage

NAGOYA, Japan – Swiss-based forward Lee Young-jun is facing delays in joining South Korea's national football team for the Asian Games, despite being called up for the competition. The 23-year-old striker, who stands at 193 centimeters and is known for his goal-scoring ability, was initially expected to join the team during the group stage. However, his Swiss club Grasshopper has not yet released him, causing a delay that could impact South Korea's performance in the tournament.

Lee was included in the 23-man squad for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in July, but the club's release process has been complicated by recent changes within Grasshopper. The Korea Football Association (KFA) and the club have been grappling with this issue, leading to speculation about when Lee will finally join the team. It is now expected that he will not be part of the squad until just before their second Group D match against Saudi Arabia on September 22.

South Korea's head coach, Lee Min-sung, acknowledged the challenge posed by Lee's absence, emphasizing the team's preparedness for this possibility. Despite having eight other European-based players, the coach stressed that the absence of a single player could hinder the team's ability to become a strong contender. Lee Min-sung expressed the need for the team to adjust and organize themselves during the group stage matches, as they strive to become the best possible team in these changing times.