◀ Anchor ▶
I didn’t expect to see this ceremony once more on the World Cup stage following the 2002 Semifinal Shinhwa.
Both players and spectators were thrilled.
This is reporter Jo Hee-won.
◀ Report ▶
The moment when 9 minutes and 30 seconds, like 9 hours and 30 minutes, finally burst out,
The national team players sprayed water and jumped up from their seats, unable to hide their joy.
Soon following, they held hands and ran to the edge of the ground to slide as a group toward the stands, sharing the joy of advancing to the round of 16 with the cheering squad that flew all the way to Doha, Qatar.
As if this ceremony was unfamiliar, Lee Kang-in, born in 2001, the youngest member of the national team, performed a front roll alone.
The sliding ceremony of the 2002 World Cup team was recreated in Doha following 20 years.
Coincidentally, even then, the opponent was Portugal, which was considered the favorite at the time.
After defeating Portugal and confirming their advance to the round of 16, the 2002 World Cup team thanked the fans with a sliding ceremony.
[김영권/축구대표팀]
“At that time, I was in my first year of middle school. I always wanted to do it every World Cup and I wanted to reenact it…”
Since then, this group sliding has become a symbol of victory for the national team, which rushed to the round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals.
[손준호/축구대표팀]
“All the players said let’s do it together. I think I did it once more because I saw something while watching the 2002 World Cup since I was young…”
Our national team players are preparing for another miracle so that this ceremony does not end today and continues following the match with Brazil.
[김영권/축구대표팀]
“It won’t be easy, but miracles will definitely happen, and I will work hard to prepare for that miracle to happen one more time.”
This is MBC News Jo Hee-won.
Video coverage: Kim Shin-young, Son Ji-yoon / Video editing: Min Kyung-tae
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