Min-jae Kim
BayernCB
Back Line Anchor
Nov 15, 1996 (29)
Right
6'3"
194 lb
Fizzles out after strong start
Kim logged one shot on goal and a chance created across 66 minutes during the Korea Republic's 1-0 loss Wednesday against South Africa.
Analysis: For the first minutes, Kim was arguably Korea's best player. From a corner, he headed its first shot on goal, blocked by Aubrey Modiba. Kim also stopped the opposing team's first counter-attack by blocking a shot from Relebohile Mofokeng. But defensively, the Korean center-back did not do much, his lone stat being a clearance. Kim notably fell behind South Africa's game-changing counterattack, which indicates why Park Jin-Seob replaced the former minutes after RSA scored. For a redemptive opportunity, he must wait for other results out of the Koreans' control. During their group-stage games, Kim logged six clearances, two interceptions and one block.
Multiple tackles won and clearances
Kim logged two tackles (two won) and two clearances during South Korea's 1-0 loss Thursday at Mexico.
Analysis: South Korea frequently attempted to create offense from the back, which meant center-back Kim achieved more passing Thursday than during his last appearance, when he created two chances. But like most of the Korean team, Kim was offensively stifled, as indicated by his zero creations Thursday. Considering that Kim recorded two interceptions and no tackles against the Czech Republic, his latest log means he flipped both categories' tallies at Mexico. For a second consecutive appearance, Kim registered multiple clearances, five between Korea's group-stage games.
Plays off bench
Kim (knee) played 28 minutes off the bench in Saturday's 5-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago, confirming his return to full fitness and putting him on track to start and lead South Korea's back three at the World Cup.
Analysis: Kim had missed Bayern Munich's season finale against Koln with a minor knee issue, but his appearance in the friendly is a clean bill of health heading into the tournament. The experienced center-back ended the club season with two goal involvements, 80 clearances and 25 Bundesliga appearances and will now shift his full attention to the World Cup with South Korea, where he is expected to be the defensive cornerstone as the Taegeuk Warriors open their Group A campaign against Czechia on June 11 in Guadalajara.
Out of season finale
Kim is not in the squad for Saturday's season finale against Koln due to a minor knee issue.
Analysis: Kim misses out on short notice and while the injury is not considered serious, there's no reason to risk it with the league title locked for multiple weeks. The center back ends the year making 19 starts across 25 Bundesliga appearances making 80 clearances and chipping in with two goal involvements. Kim will look to gain full fitness ahead of the World Cup campaign with South Korea.
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