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| Director Hong Myung-bo interviewing |
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| Son Heung-min leaving for Iraq |
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"I heard his will, but I don't want to use Son Heung-min too much."
A national team coach Hong Myung-bo made it clear to protect the players at a press conference at Incheon International Airport before departing for Iraq.
Hong Myung-bo will go to Iraq at 3:15 a.m. on the 6th (Korea time) at Basra International Stadium in Iraq in Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup. It is the first away match in 35 years since the friendly match in Baghdad in February 1990.
South Korea is ranked first in Group B with four wins and four draws (16 points) unbeaten in eight matches. With Jordan (13 points) and Iraq (12 points) trailing 2-3rd, they will confirm their 11th consecutive World Cup qualification if they draw away from Iraq. If the decision is not made in the Iraq match, the home Kuwait match remains. One point is needed in two June matches. As it is an important match to take a picture of the 'Hwallyong Peak', foreign players such as Lee Jae-sung, Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang In-beom, Yang Hyun-joon, Seol Young-woo, and Oh Hyun-kyu, as well as Son Heung-min, the 'Europa-winning captain'. Center back Kim Min-jae, who is suffering from chronic injuries, was excluded.
Attention is focusing on Son Heung-min's condition and whether he will play or not. Son Heung-min Misses Second Half Of The League With A Foot Injury He appeared in the second half of the Europa League final and did not play in the final league match. However, the influence and presence on and off the ground are absolute. Coach Hong Myung-bo, who met with reporters including Yonhap News ahead of the away match in Iraq, said "I haven't talked about Son Heung-min's physical condition yet. I heard my will. There are two games, so I don't intend to use Son Heung-min too much. I'm going to decide which game to focus on and go to the local area and decide."
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| Director Hong Myung-bo leaving for Iraq |
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| Director Hong Myung-bo interviewing |
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| Son Heung-min leaving for Iraq |
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Asked about his determination to play in two straight A matches in June and away to Iraq, Hong said, `Two more games are left in the third qualifying round. It is an important time to decide the World Cup ticket. Overall, there are difficulties in condition compared to the past, but some players are good in the K-League and those who returned from Europe are in good condition. "There may be environmental difficulties, but I will adapt well for two days and play well."I promised. On environmental difficulties, Hong said, `The local weather in Iraq will be more than 40 degrees. None of our players have experienced it. "Our country has gotten hot in the last one or two weeks, which has helped us adjust to some extent, but there will be various difficulties such as the opponent's one-sided support," he said. "There are experienced players, so I'll put them in my head and go into the game."
The Taeguk Warriors of the Hong Myung-bo will enter Iraq on a chartered flight from Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 2nd. Among the 26 entries, 21 K Leaguers, including Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan, and Lee Jae-sung, who were on vacation in Korea, and Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan HD) and Jeon Jin-woo (Jeonbuk Hyundai), who celebrated the Champions League victory in Paris, will join the team on the 3rd and four Middle Eastern players, including Cho Yoo-min (Sharja), will join the team in Iraq on the 2nd.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
