2023-10-09 08:46:00
National soccer team midfielder Hong Hyun-seok is answering questions from reporters before the convocation training held at Paju NFC on the 9th. Photo = Korea Football Association
“It seems so unbelievable that I can’t even sleep.”
When asked how he felt regarding winning the gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games (AG), Hong Hyun-seok (24, KAA Ghent) answered with a smile. It was such a happy memory that I even had trouble sleeping. Hong Hyun-seok met with reporters ahead of the national soccer team convocation training held at the Paju National Football Team Training Center (NFC) on the 9th and smiled, saying, “I feel like I really didn’t sleep much yesterday following the game.”
He was called by coach Hwang Seon-hong to participate in the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, where he played a key role in the midfield. As a partner of Baek Seung-ho (Jeonbuk Hyundai), he competed fiercely with Jeong Ho-yeon (Gwangju FC) for the starting position, and especially scored three goals, including a free kick, to help Korea win the gold medal. In the final, they smiled brightly as they successfully avenged Japan, who had been defeated 0-3 in the quarterfinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Asian Cup in June last year.
Hong Hyun-seok said, “I think Coach (Hwang Seon-hong) has the biggest share of the gold medal, and then (Baek) Seung-ho seems to have worked really hard. “I really wanted to say thank you,” he said with a smile, adding, “I also participated in the competition, so I guess I have a bit of a stake.”
Although he scored three goals and played an important role in the competition, it was also a learning experience. Hong Hyun-seok said, “I felt that I was lacking a lot in the defensive aspect. I don’t think he was involved much in receiving the ball in a low position or anything like that. “I think he needs to fill in some of those areas,” he said.
The 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games men’s soccer quarterfinal match once morest China was held at the Huanglong Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China on the 1st. Hong Hyun-seok is happy following scoring a goal. Yonhap News National soccer team midfielder Hong Hyun-seok is answering questions from reporters before the convocation training held at Paju NFC on the 9th. Photo = Korea Football Association
With his Asian Games gold medal, Hong Hyun-seok received special military service benefits and was able to compete in Europe without worrying regarding military service. Hong Hyun-seok said, “After winning the gold medal this time, a really good opportunity came to me. “It has been my goal to be in the top 5 leagues for a long time,” he said. “However, just because I am exempt from military service, I will definitely go to a good league and never think that I will succeed. “I think the future will be really important,” he said emphatically.
He continued, “I used to play in the German third division, so I am familiar with the German league. So he wants to try once more. He also wants to play in the English Premier League. “If I get the chance, I want to go anywhere (in the top five leagues),” he added.
Beyond being a member of the AG Gold Medal, now is the time to secure a position in the A national team. He received his first call-up from coach Klinsmann last June, and made his first appearance as a starter in Wales’ European away trip last month. With his consistent performance in his team and this AG performance, it is highly likely that he will continue to be called by Coach Klinsmann in the future.
Hong Hyun-seok said, “I want to score my debut goal with the national team A as soon as possible,” and added, “I have never been satisfied with myself while playing for the national team until now. “This time, I want to play a game that I can be satisfied with,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the first day of convocation training, only 17 out of 24 people, including Hong Hyun-seok, were convened first. The remaining 7 people are scheduled to join by the 10th according to their team’s schedule. Klinsmann will face Tunisia at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 13th and Vietnam at Suwon World Cup Stadium on the 17th.
Reporter Kim Myeong-seok [email protected]
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