Midfielder confident he can step in for injured teammate ahead of World Cup

With his playmaking chops and game management skills, midfielder Kim Jin-gyu is confident he can fill in for an injured friend on the national team in upcoming matches. Head coach Hong Myung-bo lost his key midfielder Hwang In-beom to an ankle injury just before the Taegeuk Warriors were to face Ivory Coast and Austria this month in the buildup to the FIFA World Cup. Hwang has been a valuable member of the national team since his international debut in 2018, thanks to his ability to contribute on both sides of the ball. But his absence presents an opportunity for other midfielders to step up and stake their claim on a spot on the World Cup squad for the summer. This is where Kim, 29, comes in. "Last year, I played in some matches when In-beom was not available. If I get another opportunity this time, I will try to capitalize on my offensive skills," Kim told reporters before a training session at the MK Dons training facility in Milton Keynes, northwest of London, on Thursday (local time). South Korea will face Ivory Coast in Milton Keynes on Saturday. "In-beom has been such an important

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