Koreans in Europe: Bae Jun-ho gets third assist for Stoke City in 3-1 loss

Stoke City’s Bae Jun-ho notched his third assist of the 2023-24 Championship season in the team’s 3-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in Blackburn, England on Saturday.

Bae, who mainly plays as an attacking midfielder, started the match as a center forward.

The 20-year-old was unable to get on the scoresheet, however, as the team conceded three goals in the first 37 minutes. Tyrhys Dolan scored a double in the seventh and 37th minute, with Sammie Szmodics also recording a goal in the 19th minute.

Stoke then put one back in the 39th minute when Bae made a tidy pass to Niall Ennis, who converted it into what turned out to be the team’s only goal of the match.

Saturday’s assist was Bae’s first since the league game against westBromwitch Albion in December last yar

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Bae joined Stoke in September last year from K League 1 side C Citizen and has played 23 league matches, recording three assists. He has yet to score a debut goal.

Saturday’s 3-1 loss was Stoke’s fourth straight loss in the league, having won their last match against Rotherham with a 1-0 victory on Jan. 13.

Stoke remained in 20th place on the 24-team table with 32 points after the loss.

Bae is one of two Korean players active in the Championship. Paik Seung-ho — a product of the Barcelona academy — joined Birmingham City last month from K League 1 team Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

No Korean derby between the two will take place this season, however, as the two league fixtures between the two sides have already taken place

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Stoke will be back in action on Wednesday as they take on QPR at home.