The first international break of the 2023 season is here and that means that a whole host of K League stars have been called up by their respective countries.
As well as the 13-man K League contingent in the South Korea national team squad for Jurgen Klinsmann's first matches in charge, a handful of players are set to be involved in their country's UEFA Euro qualifiers.
Martin Ádám, Hungary
Ulsan Hyundai striker Martin Ádám is part of the Hungary squad that will take on Estonia on Thursday and Bulgaria on Monday. The fixture with Estonia is a friendly whereas the clash with Bulgaria is a UEFA Euro qualifier, Hungary's first of the new campaign. Martin Ádám has made 10 caps for his country but is yet to find the net and so will be looking for his first international goal if selected to play by national team boss Marco Rossi.
Thursday 23rd March vs Estonia (friendly)
Monday 27th March vs Bulgaria (UEFA Euro Qualifiers)
Anton Kryvotsyuk, Azerbaijan
Daejeon Hana Citizen have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the new campaign, helped by their new Azerbaijan international defender Anton Kryvotsyuk. Anton, who has made 27 caps for his country so far, is hoping to add to that tally when Azerbaijan take on Austria on Friday and Sweden on Monday. Both are UEFA Euro qualifiers.
Friday 24th March vs Austria (UEFA Euro Qualifiers)
Monday 27th March vs Sweden (UEFA Euro Qualifiers)
Jasir Asani, Albania
It's been quite the week for Gwangju FC winger Jasir Asani, first a hat-trick to make it four goals in four appearances for his new team, then a first international call-up. Albania take on Poland on Monday for what will be their first UEFA Euro qualifier.
Monday 27th March vs Poland
South Korea
South Korea first matches with Jurgen Klinsmann at the helm are friendlies with Colombia and Uruguay with the former up first in Ulsan on Friday 24th March. There are 13 players called up from K League teams in a squad that's very similar to the one which travelled to Qatar for the World Cup last year - the only changes are Oh Hyeon-gyu in for Yoon Jong-gyu and Lee Ki-je in for Hong Chul. Korea last played Colombia in March 2019 and won 2-1 thanks to goals from Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung. Monday's match against Uruguay is being billed as a rematch from the World Cup, a game which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Friday 24th March vs Colombia
Tuesday 28th March vs Uruguay
Asnawi Mangkualam, Indonesia
Meanwhile, Asnawi Mangkualam and Indonesia are to take on Burundi in friendly competition. Indonesia will be looking to bounce back from the 2-0 aggregate loss to Vietnam in the AFF Championship semifinals. Asnawi, too, will be keen to get back out on the grass after missing Jeonnam's last two games through suspension.
Saturday 25th March vs Burundi
Tuesday 28th March vs Burundi
South Korea U22s
South Korea's young stars are in action in the Doha Cup, a friendly tournament in Qatar from March 20th to March 28th. Korea are joined by hosts Qatar as well as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, and their first opponents Oman this Tuesday night (Wednesday 01:30 am KST). Korea are led by Hwang Sun-hong and there are 21 K League players in the squad.
