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| The final match of Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup between South Korea and Kuwait at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 10th. Lee Kang-in is thanking South Korea at a celebration of its advance to the World Cup held after its 4-0 victory. Sangam = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.6.10/ |
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| The final match of Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup between South Korea and Kuwait at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 10th. Director Hong Myung-bo is giving an operational order. Sangam = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.6.10/ |
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"Director Hong Myung-bo is our boss."
'People's Shootdori'Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) made a courageous remark to soccer fans shortly after winning a 4-0 victory over Kuwait in the final qualifying round for the World Cup in North Korea and the U.S. on the night of the 10th and 11th consecutive World Cup finals 'Beauty'
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| The final match of Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup between South Korea and Kuwait at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 10th. Lee Kang-in greets his fans at a celebration for advancing to the World Cup held after South Korea won 4-0. Sangam = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.6.10/ |
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Lee Kang-in, who was selected as the most valuable player (MOM) of the game and went to an official press conference, said "I don't know if I can say this, but there are people who are consistent with attacks against the coach and the Korea Football Association." We are a member of the Korea Football Association, and the coach is our boss, so if you criticize too much like this, it hurts the players as well. "I hope you see a lot of positives. That's how I can go to the World Cup and do better."
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| The final match of Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup between South Korea and Kuwait at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 10th. Lee Jae-sung, who scored his fourth goal, is delighted with Lee Kang-in. Sangam = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.6.10/ |
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Lee Kang-in, who is the present and future of Korean soccer, the brightest player in Hong Myung-bo, and one of the most loved players by South Korean fans, spoke with courage in the criticism of fans toward the Korea Football Association and the head coach over the coach's appointment process that has continued since last year. Lee Kang-in's remarks on the day, which he made after a long thought for 'Happy Football', were also highly controversial in the field. In the subsequent mixed zone interview, questions were asked about the background of the remarks. Lee Kang-in said "I think not only me but all the other players will be like that. Journalists, and these days, YouTube is talking a lot about the soccer association (critical). Eventually, fans see it and hear it. If you try to help Korean soccer, the players need a good atmosphere and support from many fans.
"We are playing for the Republic of Korea. Whether it's the World Cup or the national team game, I'm going to make the people happy by doing the best. I think I can criticize it. But too much is not helpful. Of course, the association and the coaching staff have to make a lot of effort, but I hope you will pay more attention and support than criticism. At the end of the day, yes. I think the least number of people came (to the stadium today) after I was selected for the national team. If interest in Korean soccer decreases, it is also not good for players. There are fewer parts that can give joy and happiness to the people. Of course, I criticize what needs to be criticized, but excessive criticism is not likely to be that good." "We will do our best and show you the best over the next year. I want to give happiness to the people even when I go to the World Cup. So I will work harder. I thought it would be great if a lot of people helped me, so I said it. "
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| Lee Kang-in shooting |
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| The final match of Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup between South Korea and Kuwait at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 10th. Lee Kang-in and Cho Hyun-woo greet their fans at a celebration for advancing to the World Cup held after South Korea won 4-0. Sangam = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.6.10/ |
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| The final match of Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup between South Korea and Kuwait at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 10th. Director Hong Myung-bo is giving a national service. Sangam = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.6.10/ |
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Asked if he was brave enough to say it while sweating, Lee Kang-in said, `I think the team will do better only if it is positive at least a little. It's something I've always thought about to get better at the World Cup. He confessed the background of his difficult decision, saying, "I said it in the hope that he could help the players get a little bit of strength." "I didn't say it to attack the fans. I hope you don't take it in a bad way. I just want you to help the players play soccer that can make them a little happier and give a lot of people happiness."
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| Lee Kang-in scoring his team's second goal |
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Asked if it was because he was in that position in the national team that he made a decisive statement, "The most important thing is that he has been working hard so far, and he has done his best. In the end, the World Cup was what the fans cheered for and paid attention to. "I want to play a little more in the World Cup and become a little more competitive team..." he said, expressing his desire to be the best performance and the best team while uniting with fans and media in the best atmosphere. "I think the last World Cup was a bit special for me and for everyone. I felt great happiness. He was also very interested. I think we need to do our best to make it happen again in the next World Cup," he added.
Following Paris Saint-Germain's European Champions League victory and quadruple achievement, rumors of Lee Kang-in, who ended his best season by going to the World Cup finals for 11 consecutive times, have continued to move to big clubs such as Naples. Asked about this, Lee Kang-in said, `We don't know what will happen to people. Even if I wanted to give you a hint, the season is not over yet. The transfer window did not open. I didn't even talk to the club. I don't know anything and I'm watching it through an article," he declined to comment.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
