The Asian Games national soccer team, led by coach Hwang Seon-hong, returned to Korea through Incheon International Airport around 7 p.m. on the 8th. Coach Hwang and the national team, including captain Baek Seung-ho (Jeonbuk) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), appeared at the arrival hall with bright smiles. A long line of about 300 fans greeted them with cheers and applause, and they responded by waving their hands.
wers in one hand, smiling brightly and taking commemorative photos.
Coach Hwang expressed his gratitude, saying, “It was a happy and good memory with really great players and coaches,” and “Thanks to the support of the people, we were able to achieve the milestone of winning three consecutive Asian Games.”
He continued, “We will work harder to develop Korean soccer in the future,” and added, “We also ask for a lot of praise and encouragement from the players.”
Coach Hwang was not well received by public opinion due to his poor scoring and performance before the Asian Games. Director Hwang said, “It’s a bit unfamiliar to be welcomed after being criticized every day, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing.” He said, “I will work hard to be welcomed in the future.”
Regarding the driving force behind scoring 27 goals in 7 games from the group stage to the final, he said, “I think soccer that combines many things is better soccer than soccer that uses one person,” and added, “The second-line players played well and played well.” “I think it led to results,” he said.
Coach Hwang laughed, saying, “It was a very difficult game, with Uzbekistan putting up a straight and powerful fight that stalled the game a bit.” He added, “I felt very dizzy right after conceding the first goal in the final two minutes after the game started against Japan.” It seemed.
He continued, “I thought we had a chance as long as we didn’t get shaken psychologically, but fortunately, captain Baek Seung-ho and Park Jin-seop (Jeonbuk) helped us maintain our balance on the pitch, so we found our pace again.”
Coach Hwang, who is tightening his shoelaces again to prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics, expressed his desire to bring in ‘ace’ Lee Kang-in.
Director Hwang said, “I told (Lee) Kang-in that we had to work together even though I didn’t receive his stamp, but it seems like he was a ‘question mark.’ He hasn’t given me a clear answer yet. “I think it’s a secret,” he said with a smile.
Coach Hwang desperately requested support from the Korea Football Association, the Korea Professional Football League, and each club.
He said, “Japan and Uzbekistan prepare for the competition for nearly three years. On the other hand, there is a clear difference in that we only have a few convocations, and even those are uncertain,” he said, adding, “We need support so we can prepare diligently.” 스포츠토토킹
ou must have the opportunity to train for at least 2 to 3 weeks to be competitive,” and emphasized, “If this does not happen, it can become very difficult.”
President of the Korea Football Association Chung Mong-gyu congratulated the players, saying, “I hope that the players returning to their respective teams will perform well and a day will come when we can see them again in the A national team in the future,” and “Good job to coach Hwang Seon-hong and the staff as well.”
Coach Hwang Seon-hong and the Korea U-24 soccer team defeated Japan in the men’s soccer final held at the Huanglong Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China the previous day, with Cho Young-wook (Gimcheon) scoring the winning goal in the 11th minute of the second half when the score was tied 1-1. They beat the national team 2-1. Korea, which won the 2014 Incheon Games and the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games, achieved its first three consecutive men’s soccer titles in the history of the competition.