Ulsan: Head coach Paulo Bento had a message as Korea Republic's AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 hopefuls checked in for training on Tuesday - every player has a chance to make the final squad for the Continental showpiece on January 5-February 1.
Korea Republic are seeking to win the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 1960 and Bento wants the best players available for the challenge that awaits in UAE 2019, where 24 of the continent's top teams will be vying for glory.
Former Portugal coach Bento has called up 23 players plying their trade in the K League, Japan and China PR - for this phase of training and urged them to fight for their places.
"Nothing has been confirmed (for the Asian Cup squad)," Bento said. "The door is open to any player. I will confirm the final Asian Cup roster after checking these players through training."
Korea Republic players playing in Europe and West Asia were not called up for this phase as Bento wanted to allow them to focus on their club commitments.
"My selection will be based on the players' quality and talent," he said. "The players need to show their strong will to compete."
The training squad for the Ulsan training camp includes five players who had never played for the senior team before.
"There are players that I know well, and there are new faces," Bento said. "We have players whose season schedule with their respective clubs just ended, so we need to conduct our training carefully considering their physical conditions."
Bento is scheduled to announce the final squad of 23 on December 20, three days before departing for the UAE. The Ulsan training camp is considered to be the last opportunity for East Asian league-based players to make their case for squad selection.
Bento, who has led Korea Republic to an unbeaten run since he took the helm in August, said he is not concerned about Europe-based players joining the national team late or in the middle of the tournament.
It has been already confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min will be available after Korea Republic play their first two group stage matches at the AFC Asian Cup.
"Since they've already experienced our national team, I'm sure they know our style of play and tactics," he said. "They're not here, but we'll train as usual, and I will try to make one team with new players this time."
The Taeguk Warriors are in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 with China PR, Kyrgyz Republic and the Philippines.
Source: Yonhap News, AFP
Source: the-afc.com