Hannover, Germany’s second division, a promising player for each age group
Director Hong Myung-bo observes through video… Satisfied with recent performance
Coach Hong Myung-bo, who has selected promising players at every national soccer team call since taking office last July, called up another ‘divine star’ in November. The protagonist is Lee Hyun-joo (21, Hannover), who is active in the German Bundesliga 2 (second division).
Coach Hong Myung-bo held a press conference at the Soccer Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 4th and announced the list of 26 players who will participate in the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup Asian Region 3rd Qualifying Round two-game match against Kuwait and Palestine in November.
The call-up list included many familiar names such as Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich). In addition, Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon), Kim Gyeong-min (Gwangju), and Kim Bong-su (Gimcheon), who had no previous ties to the national team, were also named.
In addition, Lee Hyun-joo, who is playing in Germany, also had the opportunity to play for the national team for the first time in his life.
Coach Hong Myung-bo said, “I consistently checked the games in which Lee Hyun-ju played. His playing time increased and his performance was good. “More than anything, he is a player of a style that was not present in the national team before,” he said. “He is a talent who can perform well even in situations where Kuwait and Palestine have lowered their defensive lines and there is no space.”
An official of the national team said, “Coach Hong Myung-bo did not see Lee Hyun-joo’s game in person, but he continued to watch it through video footage after taking office,” adding, “We confirmed that his performance has improved recently, and existing second-line strikers such as Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) and Uhm Uhm-seong (Swansea) “We selected Lee Hyun-joo to check on him directly as he was injured.”
Lee Hyun-joo, who grew up in the Pohang Steelers youth system, was recognized for his potential by being selected for the national team of his age group from a young age. Bayern Munich (Germany), a world-class club with an eye on him, signed Lee Hyun-joo on loan in January 2022, and permanently signed him in August of that year.
In the first season after moving to Bayern Munich, Lee Hyun-joo played in the team’s second team and played an active part in the German fourth division. Then, last summer, he moved on loan to Bundesliga 2 (second division) Behen Wiesbaden. Lee Hyun-joo proved his skills on the professional stage by playing in 31 games and scoring 4 goals.
Accordingly, Munich extended Lee Hyun-joo’s contract period until 2027 last July and sent him on loan to Hannover in the second division. Hyunjoo Lee has played in 8 of Hannover’s 11 games this season, scoring one goal, helping the team take the lead.
Lee Hyeon-joo, who has joined the national team for the first time, can be expected to make his international debut in November. Lee Hyun-joo’s strength, which Coach Hong focused on, is his ability to advance through dribbling. Hyun-joo Lee also said in an interview with ‘FIFA+’, “My strengths are always moving forward and never losing possession of the ball.”
Hannover general manager Markus Mann, who recruited Lee Hyun-joo on loan, also said, “Lee Hyun-joo is fast and has good skills. He said, “He has a high soccer intelligence,” and added, “He is a midfielder who has good forward ability and knows how to create scoring opportunities.”
This advantage could be Hong Myung-bo’s ‘new weapon’ in the game against Kuwait and Palestine, which will be on the defensive against Korea.
(Seoul = News 1)
- great
- 0dog
- I’m sad
- 0dog
- I’m angry
- 0dog
- I recommend it
- dog
Hot news now
Interview: The Future of South Korean Soccer with Coach Hong Myung-bo
Editor of Time.news: Welcome to our special interview today! Joining us is Coach Hong Myung-bo, the current head coach of the South Korean national soccer team, who has been making waves with his recent player selections. Coach, thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
Coach Hong Myung-bo: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to share insights about our national team and the future of South Korean soccer.
Editor: Your recent call-ups have attracted a lot of attention, especially the inclusion of 21-year-old Lee Hyun-joo from Hannover. What was it about him that made you decide to bring him into the national squad?
Coach Hong: Lee Hyun-joo is a remarkable talent who brings a unique style of play that we haven’t seen in the national team before. I’ve been monitoring his performances through video footage since I took over last July, and I’ve seen significant improvement in his game, especially his ability to advance with the ball and create scoring opportunities.
Editor: It’s fascinating that you’ve focused on video analysis rather than attending live games. Can you tell us how you evaluate a player’s potential solely through video?
Coach Hong: Absolutely. Video analysis has become a crucial tool in modern coaching. It allows us to assess players’ movements, decision-making, and overall impact in various game situations. In Lee’s case, his recent performances showed not just skill, but a tactical intelligence that is vital when facing teams that defend deeply, like Kuwait and Palestine.
Editor: Speaking of upcoming matches, how do you see Lee’s skills fitting into your strategy for the crucial qualifiers against Kuwait and Palestine?
Coach Hong: Lee’s strengths are critical for our game plan. His dribbling ability and forward movement will help us break through compact defenses. We need players who can maintain possession and unlock defenses, and I believe Lee can be a ‘new weapon’ for us in these matches.
Editor: It seems like Lee has already made a name for himself, not just domestically, but internationally as well, with his experience in Germany. How important is it for young players to gain experience in foreign leagues?
Coach Hong: Gaining international experience is vital for young players. Competing in highly competitive leagues like the Bundesliga exposes them to different playing styles and pressures, which significantly accelerates their development. Lee’s loan spells at Bayern Munich and now Hannover have been instrumental in his growth.
Editor: You mentioned that Lee is a player who thrives in tight situations. How does this skill compare to current key players like Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in?
Coach Hong: Each of these players brings something unique to the team. Son is our leader and has exceptional finishing skills, while Lee Kang-in has great creativity. Lee Hyun-joo adds a different dimension with his dribbling and ability to play in confined spaces, making our attack more versatile.
Editor: It’s clear that you have a vision for the team as it heads towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. What are your broader goals for the national team in the coming years?
Coach Hong: My main goal is to build a cohesive team that can compete effectively on the world stage. This involves blending experienced players with young talents like Lee Hyun-joo. I want to foster a winning mentality and a style of play that reflects South Korean soccer’s passion and resilience.
Editor: Thank you, Coach Hong, for sharing your insights and vision for the national team. We look forward to seeing how Lee Hyun-joo and the rest of the squad perform in the upcoming matches!
Coach Hong: Thank you for having me! I appreciate the support and hope fans will rally behind our team as we prepare for these crucial games.
Editor: Absolutely, Coach. Best of luck!