Coach Hwang Seon-hong Prepares Korean National Soccer Team for Two-Game Series Against Thailand in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

2024-03-18 08:18:48
Coach Hwang Seon-hong ahead of two-game series once morest Thailand

The Korean national soccer team put aside the disappointment of being eliminated in the semifinals of the Asian Cup and gathered once more ahead of the two-game series once morest Thailand in the 2026 North, Central and American World Cup Asia 2nd round qualifiers to be held this month.

The A team, led by coach Hwang Seon-hong, who served as the temporary head coach, began convocation training in preparation for the match once morest Thailand at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi-do at 4 pm on the 18th.

Six players, including Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), who are playing in Europe, were unable to join the training on the first day due to their schedule to return home. On this day, only 17 people participated.

This is the first national team call-up since the team was eliminated in the semifinals of the Asian Cup and the dismissal of coach Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany). The atmosphere is turbulent following the controversy over the so-called ‘ping pong incident’ and the card game controversy involving employees of the Korea Football Association were revealed.

Coach Hwang met with reporters ahead of the first training and said, “It is difficult to talk at length because not all the players have been called up right now, but we are spending time meeting each other personally, listening to their stories, and interacting. Once they come out to the field, I told them to be bright and cheerful.” “When we all get together, we plan to talk regarding many things,” he said.

Unusually, only the first 15 minutes of the first convocation training were revealed, making it clear that they were distancing themselves from the media. There were no players to be interviewed. According to the association, it is a means of self-reflection and a way to control the anxious and chaotic atmosphere.

Coach Hwang said, “I think we have to do our best to make up for what we disappointed,” and added, “The players are feeling a lot of pressure and are having a hard time mentally. The people here and the fans will be able to focus more and play the game.” “I hope you can help me. I will do my best to repay you with one mind,” he said.

He added, “When I come out to the playground, I want to train in a bright and cheerful atmosphere, but there are problems that need to be solved. Once everyone has joined, I plan to train and play with clarity.”

Regarding captain Son Heung-min, who is known to have considered retirement from the national team following the Asian Cup, he said, “It’s important for me to talk, but I want to listen. I want to hear what you think and what you think regarding the future. I think we need to find a way.” “We all agree with the idea that we need to actively solve this problem. We will think regarding what method would be best,” he said.

Son Heung-min remains the captain.

In the case of Lee Kang-in, Cho Gyu-seong (Midtjylland), and Hong Hyun-seok (Gent), they can return home following completing their team schedules and join on the 19th. There is not enough time to train until the first game on the 21st.

Director Hwang said, “This is a concern. If I order a lot of things now, it might become more complicated, so I plan to keep it simple and intensive.”

Seon-Hong Hwang will play the third round of the World Cup 2nd qualifying round once morest Thailand at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8 p.m. on the 21st, and then leave for Thailand on the 22nd. The 4th game once morest Thailand will be held at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok at 9:30 pm on the 26th, Korean time.

Korea is ranked first in Group C of the group stage by winning two consecutive wins once morest Singapore (5-0 win) and China (3-0 win) in the first and second games held in November last year, respectively. Their opponent, Thailand, has 1 win and 1 loss.

If they win both of their two-game series once morest Thailand, they can confirm their advance to the final World Cup qualifiers early.

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