Don't forget what Son Heung-min has done so far...Hope you do well in the national team (Full Story)
Mar 10, 2025
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This is what Hong Myung-bo, coach of the South Korean national football team, said.
South Korea will play in Group B 7-8 of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup. South Korea will face Oman (20th, Goyang) and Jordan (25th, Suwon) in succession.
Up to the second place in each group of this tournament, the ticket to the finals will be given. South Korea is in first place with four wins and two draws (14 points) in the previous six games. The gap with Jordan (nine points) in third place is five points. There are only four games left per team. Based on the results of the two games, South Korea can confirm its trip to North Korea, China and the U.S. early on. In this case, South Korea will play in the World Cup finals for the 11th time in a row and the 12th time ever.
The key is the physical condition of the players. Players playing in Europe are struggling physically as they enter the end of the season. The K-League has just opened, so its condition is jagged.
Coach Hong said "It was very difficult to select this player compared to last year. We went to Europe for a month, watched the players' games, and met and talked with them. I had a good time like that. But at that point, the players didn't have much time to play. It was good to meet and talk with the players and respond to their concerns and concerns. However, I struggled a lot because I didn't have much time to play. The European season is coming to an end. There were also a lot of injury issues. Some players were unable to play due to injuries. In some cases, he was not able to play due to the change of coach. However, we came in February and continued to compare it with the K League. I could feel that the players maintained their good performance little by little", he explained.
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He also revealed his faith in Son Heung-min, who was under controversy over his team's 'aging curve'. Coach Hong said, `We can say a lot that Son Heung-min has less time to play in the game now and less points than before. But we must not forget what the player has done so far. The same goes for the national team and Tottenham. If he joins the national team, he will fully communicate with each other about Son's role. I'll try to find a better way about him"He is an experienced player. I think I'll do well. However, the club team and the national team need to draw a line. You have to face the players every day on that side. There is a game every week. Son Heung-min has already joined the national team for three to four months. It's another type of team. There is another role here. I don't want to connect that part like that. Tottenham win and I don't have much. We want Son to do well in the national team. I think I'll do well in that part in the future."
The following is a Q&A session with director Hong Myung-bo.
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▶It's time for soccer. Soccer began when many fans supported each team in the K League. Accordingly, we will play the 7th and 8th games of the 2026 North-China World Cup at home. We will convene next week after this week's game. It was very difficult to select this player compared to last year. We went to Europe for a month, watched the players' games, and met and talked with them. I had a good time like that. But at that point, the players didn't have much time to play. It was good to meet and talk with the players and respond to their concerns and concerns. However, I struggled a lot because I didn't have much time to play. The European season is coming to an end. There were also a lot of injury issues. Some players were unable to play due to injuries. In some cases, he was not able to play due to the change of coach. However, we came in February and continued to compare it with the K League. I could feel that the players maintained their good performance little by little. If I hadn't spent that time in Europe, I would have vaguely seen the article here and chosen it. How much they are performing, how they are improving. If you play now, you can see which player you are competing with, whether the opponent is injured, or if you are playing well. It was a tricky selection. I invested a lot of time in my own way. The K-League has started. As it opens in cold weather, it cannot be seen as 100% condition of its own. We also followed and observed which players maintained the average compared to last year. More players were selected than ever before. It is also a good situation in overall condition competition. Six important players have yellow cards for two games this time. If they get a yellow card in the first game, they can't play in the second game. It was selected by looking at the situation as a whole that could be replaced immediately.
▶ goalkeeper Kim Dong-heon watched about three games after the opening. It wasn't in my head last year, but I thought it kept the best performance of the goalkeepers after the opening. There were many saves, and I selected him because I thought he saved a lot of difficult situations. Cho Hyun-woo came out only in the previous game due to injury. I adhered to the principles of communication. Neither the players nor the team was a problem, so they played. Lee Chang-geun was selected because Daejeon is currently at the highest level in the K-League. Of course, there are one or two people besides this. I felt that there was something more difficult about the performance than these players.
▶The defenders were mostly players in the Middle East because they were playing continuously. However, Kim Min-jae has Achilles tendon and ankle aftereffects. However, in the current situation, Bayern Munich is not in a situation where it can be put on the bench. So the team will also play. There are difficulties, but I will play while thinking positively. Although his body is difficult, he is playing well while overcoming it.
▶There are difficulties in both fullbacks. Both fullbacks who were in charge of September and November last year were missing. I thought a lot about which player to put in. Cho Hyun-taek and Hwang Jae-won saw each other once. Cho Hyun-taek was with me when I was in Ulsan. At that time, there was a bit of a lack, but I feel like I've grown a lot recently. I think I got a good evaluation from the coaching team in the last game when I crossed and assisted. I thought Lee had the best performance and everything in Pohang now. Hwang Jae-won was selected because he was evaluated as having the best attack power in view of Seol Young-woo's warning and fatigue. More than three months have passed since the game in November last year. If you create organizational power, it's almost the same as starting anew. I thought it was right for a player we know to be selected in terms of the soccer organization we have been doing so far. That is the overall assessment.
▶Midfielder overall got a lot better in January, although some were not good. Especially young players, Yang Hyun-joon and Yang Min-hyuk. Yang Hyun-joon also watched the game in person. He was a player who played about three roles within the team. Of course, he played for a short time then, too. When I talked about it, I could feel that there were difficulties within the team. However, they have been performing well since February. I don't think the playing time will be better, but I think it's good for you and our team to show impact in a short time. Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan are injured. Hwang In-beom was expected to play this week. However, through a meeting with the coach, I heard that he will play the weekend game. The amount of training is 100 percent. Hwang Hee-chan was injured last winter but is now playing. It's playing an important role in the team. In the second-line resource, which has many young players, I think it will be centered on experience.
▶ Joo Min-gyu is the top scorer. I think we are maintaining this form in 2023 and 2024. Oh Hyun-kyu also left due to injury and scored right away when he returned. Oh Se-hoon did not score, but he won almost 100% of the ball in the air when he went to watch the game last week. I felt that my condition was not bad. According to the opponent's strategy, which player will play will be convened and selected through a meeting as a whole.
The selection of players was generally difficult. Among the current players, players who are maintaining good form were selected.
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▶When I went to Europe in January, I couldn't meet him. He trained with Tottenham, but was unable to participate. I couldn't meet him because it was when there was talk of a rental transfer. I didn't even see the game. However, I kept watching when I came to Korea. I thought it wasn't bad to show the momentary movement. Lee is a player who should continue to be the main force for Korea in the future. I selected him because I thought it was good to keep coming into the national team and to be able to increase the value he has and know which direction the national team is going.
-There are many European players in the second term. What kind of competitive edge should K-League players show.
▶I thought it would be better for European players to call K-League players considering the overall time difference and condition rather than 100% 'This player is better'. I observed a lot of time. It has changed a little from last year. For example, unnecessary action, unnecessary ball touch. Obviously, we have to go faster in this situation, but it may be because we got confidence after joining the national team. However, compared to last year, such a figure was seen. I think some of the players showed a negative side. Maybe it's because it's not the best overall yet. However, I saw unnecessary appeals because they are the players in our heads if we show them more accurately what we have. In that regard, if there is an improvement in the future, I think there will be an opportunity to come back into the national team at any time.
-What is his stance on FC Nuremberg, who has been mentioned as a naturalized citizen.
▶When I went to Europe, I saw a game about naturalized players. It's short, but the coaching staff went and talked to my mother. There are too many complicated things to do while thinking about the economic aspect. There are so many problems to be solved for the player. We have to train for two or three days and play, but we don't want the team to go in the other direction. Looking at the long-term aspect, we are preparing. I'm not moving about him right now.
-The physical condition of Cho Kyu-sung (FC Mitwillan) is.
▶ They are constantly observing and making contact with each other. However, he is not in a situation to play at all now.
-It is two consecutive home games. How are you going to play it.
▶I don't think everything can go as planned. You have to do your best to do what you have in it. I want to create an atmosphere so that I can play comfortably without putting pressure on the players. I hope you can make it for me. That can lead to unexpected results. It's a burdensome game for our players to come this time, but I'll prepare in my position so that they can play more comfortably.
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▶There are many young players in the second line this time. I want to see an aggressive and active game in that part. It is a characteristic of young players. Of course, you can make mistakes. It may be a little lacking. I personally want to see him play with a good balance of spirit and experience because there are experienced players such as Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung so that they can play like young players without giving up on those things. To do so, young players are confident and capable enough. I wish I could convene with confidence.
-How do you see the grass problem.
▶The best way to express the team's performance is on which turf. Football is technological and tactical these days. It's going to a high level. I think it's a big problem if the most important grass doesn't support it. Of course, we also had experience last year. This is the biggest problem moving to Goyang and Suwon this year. It may not matter. But there are many players, teams, and fans watching. It can even determine the quality of the team. I'd like to ask everyone who does the lawn a little more favor. I can tell you 100% that if the players play on a good lawn, they will be able to show a little better performance. The team is more interested in the team than it is now, and the managers are also responsible, so I think it would be better for fans to see the players play on the good grass. I think fans will be able to enjoy watching the game more.
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▶I think it is possible at any time. Son Heung-min has less time to play in the game now, scores less than before, and can talk a lot. But we must not forget what the player has done so far. The same goes for the national team and Tottenham. If he comes in, he will fully communicate with each other about Son Heung-min's role. I will try to find a better way about it.
-Son Heung-min seems to be under psychological pressure due to no spectators. Does it affect the national team.
▶He is an experienced player. I think I'll do well. However, the club team and the national team need to draw a line. You have to face the players every day on that side. There is a game every week. Son Heung-min has already joined the national team for three to four months. It's another type of team. There is another role here. I don't want to connect that part like that. Tottenham win and I don't have much. However, we hope Son Heung-min will do well in the national team. I think I will do well in that part in the future.
-It is the first game since Chairman Chung Mong-gyu's fourth term. Did you have a conversation.
▶We haven't talked about that yet. I didn't even see her face. However, we are preparing that part again. What we want to do has been delivered to the Korea Football Association. There is nothing new to prepare or do. I think the Korea Football Association will be able to prepare what it has prepared since November last year.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
