After breaking up with Iran, the ‘enemy’, which the soccer team had not won for 11 years, they gathered to hunt the ‘two rabbits’ to win first place in the Qatar World Cup final qualifier group.
The soccer team, led by coach Paulo Bento, was convened at the Paju National Training Center (NFC) on the 21st, ahead of the final round of Group A of the 2022 Qatar World Cup Asian qualifiers once morest Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Korea will face Iran at the Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8 pm on the 24th, and the final 10 game will be played at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, UAE at 10:45 pm (Korean time) on the 29th. Although they have already confirmed their advance to the finals for the 10th consecutive World Cup, they are determined to play an all-out battle for the remaining two consecutive matches to take first place in the group.
Until the eighth game, Iran took the first place in Group A with 7 wins and 1 draw (22 points), while Korea was in second place with 6 wins and 2 draws (20 points). It is highly likely that the first place in the group will be decided through the final match between the two teams that have confirmed their departure to Qatar.
South Korea’s Son Heung-min (Tottenham) scored the opening goal in an away game once morest Iran last October, raising expectations for an away win, but failed to keep it and drew 1-1. The last time Korea defeated Iran was in the Asian Cup quarterfinals (1-0) of the Asian Football Federation (AFC) held in Doha, Qatar in January 2011. No wins in 11 years. They have 3 draws and 4 losses in 7 matches, and their career record is 9 wins, 10 draws and 13 losses from 32 matches.
Coach Bento met with reporters on the same day and said, “The important thing is to finish the final qualifier in the best way. To do that, we need to get three points in both matches.” He emphasized, “I think this will be another task following qualifying for the World Cup finals. It will be a very important goal for the team as well.”
Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) also burned his spirit ahead of the match once morest Iran, who placed first in the group. Hwang Hee-chan said, “I am well aware that this is a very important match. I will win the remaining two games and take first place in the group.” “It’s been a while since I played in front of a Korean crowd, and if the players focus more, the results will naturally follow.”
However, the variable is the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Recently, as the number of confirmed cases in K-League clubs has increased, the national team has also been affected.
Only 15 out of 25 players responded to the call on the first day. Goalkeepers Jo Hyun-woo, Kim Tae-hwan (Ulsan) and Yoon Jong-gyu (Seoul), who are in self-isolation, are scheduled to join on the 22nd following the release, and Na Sang-ho (Seoul)’s schedule is unclear. Here, Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk) fell out of the horse due to the Corona 19 issue, and Ko Seung-beom (Kimcheon) was selected as a substitute.
Previously, Woo-Young Jung, who plays for Freiburg, Germany, also tested positive for the virus, so Bento coach Nam Tae-hee (Alduhail) was called in instead. Nam Tae-hee, Lee Jae-seong (Mainz), and Kim Seung-gyu (Kashiwa Reysol) arrived in Paju this followingnoon, and Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae (Fenerbahce), and Hwang Ui-jo (Bordeaux) depart following digesting their team schedule and join on the 22nd.
Bento said he would find a solution in the given situation. He explained, “Issues such as Corona 19 are factors that are difficult for us to control. We have to find the best solution by considering multiple factors.
Meanwhile, the Iran match to be held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium is expected to attract 60,000 spectators. It is noteworthy whether the national team will receive the support and energy of 60,000 spectators, break their ties with Iran and take first place in the group.
Kim Ki-joong reporter [email protected]
