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The 'monster defender' Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) needs no introduction. He is arguably the best center back in the world, let alone Asia.

In the 2022-2023 season, Kim became the 'King of Defense' in Italy, the 'home of defense'. Kim Min-jae donned the colors of Napoli in the summer of 2022. In just one season, he conquered Italy. He was named Serie A's Best Defender of the 2022-2023 season. He is the first Asian player to win the award, which was established in the 2018-2019 season. It is also the first time in history that a member of the winning team has won the award. Kim became the "best defensive player" in Italy, the "home of defense," the country that gave birth to the combative defense. He was also named to the official Serie A Team of the Year.

In 2023, Kim was ranked 22nd in the world's most prestigious Ballon d'Or. He was named International Player of the Year by the Asian Football Confederation. He was also named the 2023 Korean Football Association (KFA) Player of the Year. All of this happened in 2023.

The first game against Bahrain on March 10 pushed the wrong button. Kim was cautioned in the 13th minute of the first half. He was shown a yellow card for stopping an opponent's counterattack. It was an unfair warning, but there was no room for complaining. If a player accumulates two cautions, he cannot play in the next match. His trademark challenging defense would be curtailed, and he's not even 100% fit. His transfer to Bayern Munich this season has been controversial. Kim Min-jae has played full-time in all of Bayern Munich's Bundesliga games (15) before this tournament. He also started five games in the UEFA Champions League (UCL), helping the team reach the round of 16. The body doesn't lie. He's playing through pain, 안전놀이터 so he has to be cautious. Kim was substituted late in extra time in the round of 16 against Saudi Arabia.

Now it's the quarterfinals. Jürgen Klinsmann's men's soccer team will face Australia in the quarterfinals at 0:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Kim Min-jae has laced up his soccer boots once again. He was in high spirits as he took to the field during an official training session at the Al Agla Training Center in Doha on Monday. He led the training with his signature "cha~" shout. He also cheered up his 'best friend' Hwang Hee-chan, saying, "Hee-chan is good, Hee-chan!" to lighten the mood. An official from the Korea Football Association said, "The 1996 generation is the center of the team. Hwang In-beom (Zvezda) is sweet, Hwang Hee-chan is sweet, and Kim Min-jae is the center. Kim Min-jae's one-liners are very funny."

Kim has now played 60 A matches. At her first Asian Cup, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2019, she finished in the quarterfinals. Kim was determined to win the tournament. The group stage and round of 16 were in the past. The yellow card scare would only last one game, the quarterfinals. Australia is considered the most physical team in the tournament. Kim Min-jae's performance is more important than ever.