Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke), and Hwang In-beom (Porto), who stirred a "retirement controversy," and Son Heung-min (LAFC), who stands on the opposite side, have all been named to the national football team squad for November's A-matches.

Manager Robert Moreno announced a 26-player roster of Taegeuk Warriors for the November away friendlies in the Middle East at the Korea Football Park in Cheonan today (the 29th).

The roster includes national team pillar and "captain" Son Heung-min alongside Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan, and Hwang In-beom, commonly referred to as the "Class of '96."

The three Class of '96 players raised complaints about Son Heung-min's leadership and caused a national team retirement controversy during the match against Uzbekistan, the final game of the four friendly matches held in September and October.

Manager Moreno will depart for Europe tonight to inspect the skills and physical conditions of players performing overseas.

Manager Moreno said, "The thing I have done the most in recent weeks is talking. I communicated with the players, the captain, the association, and all team officials."

Ultimately, Manager Moreno is expected to bring Son Heung-min and the three Class of '96 players together in one place to mend the conflict.

Regarding leadership, he also showed unwavering belief, stating, "The captain of the national team is Son Heung-min."

In addition, Gangwon FC center-back Shin Minha and FC Seoul "young gun" Son Jeong-beom have received their first-ever senior national team call-ups.

Shin Minha made 21 league appearances for his club this season and contributed to the Asian Games national football team's fourth consecutive victory, while 19-year-old Son Jeong-beom recorded 2 goals and 2 assists in 30 matches during his debut season this year, contributing to Seoul's first title in 10 years.

Compared to the previous roster, six players including Kim Ji-soo (Brentford), Lee Myung-jae (Daejeon), Jung Woo-yeong (Union Berlin), and Um Ji-sung (Swansea City) have newly boarded the Moreno ship.

On the other hand, 10 players were excluded this time: Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland), Kim Min-su (Rangers), Jung Seung-won (Seoul), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham), Lee Tae-seok (Vien), Kim Geon-hee (Incheon), Cho Wi-je, Kim Tae-hyun (both Jeonbuk), Kim Tae-hyun (Kashima), and Gu Sung-yun (Seoul).

The Moreno squad will play two consecutive matches in Doha, Qatar: against Saudi Arabia on November 13 and Qatar on November 17.

◇ November Away Friendly Match National Football Team Roster (26 players)

▲ GK= Kim Seung-gyu (Tokyo), Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk)

▲ DF= Seol Young-woo (Augsburg), Choi Jun (Seoul), Lee Han-beom (Bruges), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Kim Ji-soo (Brentford), Shin Min-ha (Gangwon), Cho Hyun-taek (Ulsan), Lee Myung-jae (Daejeon)

▲ MF= Park Jin-seop (Zhejiang), Kim Bong-soo (Daejeon), Son Jeong-beom (Seoul), Hwang In-beom (Porto), Park Tae-jun (Gimcheon), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Lee Kang-in (Atletico Madrid), Jung Woo-yeong (Union Berlin), Um Ji-sung (Swansea City), Song Min-gyu (Nacional), Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke)

▲ FW= Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), Son Heung-min (LAFC), Oh Hyun-gyu (Besiktas), Oh Se-hun (Shimizu)

(Photo: Yonhap News)