“It’s the result of coming together. If we play our part more faithfully for the team, we can go higher than we are now.”메이저놀이터
Even without goal help, the heart for the team is bigger than anyone else. In the 2023 FIFA Under-20 (U-20) World Cup, where expectations were low and concerns were high, Korean Kim Eun-joong, who achieved the feat of advancing to the semifinals for the second consecutive time, had brilliant performances from key players, but silently fulfilled his role. The efforts of the players who devoted themselves to the ‘Original Team’ were also great. All of them say that 21 people, led by director Kim Eun-joong, came together tightly and achieved results that exceeded expectations.
In fact, Korea, led by coach Kim Eun-joong, won 1-0 victory with Choi Seok-hyun’s header winning goal after an extra bloody battle against Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup held at Santiago del Estero Stadium in Argentina on the 5th (Korean time). In the process of successfully advancing to the semifinals, a total of six players were replaced. Excluding Park Seung-ho (Incheon), who returned home early due to injury, all players except for goalkeeper Mun Hyeon-ho (Chungnam Asan) Kim Jeong-hoon (Korea University) and midfielder Lee Seung-jun (Seoul) among the 20 entries maintained uniform power while playing and eventually scored no goals. The victory proves Kim Eun-joong’s ‘one-team organization’.
On the 9th at 6:00 a.m., Kim Eun-joong-ho, Park Hyun-bin (Incheon), Kim Jung-hoon, Moon Hyeon-ho, and Bae Seo-jun (Daejeon), who are aiming to advance to the final against Italy in the semi-final match against Italy, interviewed each other with the Korea Football Association at their lodgings in Argentina after the match against Nigeria. They showed confidence that if they believe and unite as one, they will be able to achieve good results.
Midfielder Park Hyun-bin, who was substituted for Lee Chan-wook in the 16th minute of the second half of the quarterfinals against Nigeria, said, “I am incredibly happy and happy to have reached the semifinals. I am running,” he said. He also showed confidence, “It was difficult to set the tempo as a substitute in the second half, but with the help of my colleagues, I quickly adapted. If we play together as one now, we will be able to play well in the semifinals and finals against Italy.”
Reserve goalkeeper Kim Jeong-hoon, who did not play in a single game while Korea won 3 wins and 2 draws in 5 matches from the group stage to the quarterfinals, said, “It is regrettable that I did not play a single game, but I am happy and honored to have reached the semifinals. I am more proud because I know what kind of process the players have gone through to prepare and sweat.”
Moon Hyun-ho, who played a scoreless match against Gambia, where goalkeeper Kim Joon-hong (Kim Cheon) failed to play, said, “I don’t think I did well, but I think it was because the media and people around me told me that I did well.” CM), I am confident in agility and quickness, and I also have strengths in aerial balls. I will make up for the criticism that my feet are weak and become a good player.”
Defender Bae Seo-joon, who started the game against Nigeria, said, “The players unite each game and follow the coach’s words. I will analyze and respond well to the match against Italy. Since we started together, the promised moves fit well according to the situation,” he said, vowing to achieve better results as a “one team.”