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| Al Fayha Stadium/ Men's A team/ 2026 FIFA U.S. World Cup 3rd qualifying round/ Korea vs. Iraq/ Iraq/ Training/ Son Heung-min/ Photo Kim Jung-wook |
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| Al Fayha Stadium/ Men's A team/ 2026 FIFA U.S. World Cup 3rd qualifying round/ Korea vs. Iraq/ Iraq/ Training/ Lee Kang-in/ Photo by Kim Jung-wook |
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| Al Fayha Stadium/ Men's A team/ 2020 FIFA North-China World Cup 3rd qualifying round/ Korea vs Iraq/ Training/ Coach Hong Myung-bo/ Photo by Kim Jung-wook |
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Hong Myung-bo, who is about to face off, has begun training to adapt to Iraq as a whole.
The Taeguk Warriors conducted their first training session for about an hour and a half at Al Peha Stadium in Basra from 3 a.m. on the 4th (Korea time). A national team coach Hong Myung-bo was divided into three groups according to the time and timing of the players' participation in the game and opened the door with customized physical training. Following coordination training that also served as a recreation, tactical training was also conducted with small-side games of attack and defensive positions.
An A team official said, `The coaching staff arrived an hour early for the training program based on the Iraq war and completed preparations for the training ground, and even though it was late at night, the team focused on the training in a positive atmosphere despite the high temperatures"Especially in tactical training, the task of using multiple players for each position to determine who is suitable for the Iraq match began with the first training," he said.
South Korea will play its ninth Group B match against Iraq at 3:15 a.m. on the 6th at Basra International Stadium in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup. Lee Kang-in, who shared the first-ever treble myth of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), including the European Champions League, joined on the 3rd for the last time and became a complete group.
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| Al Fayha Stadium/ Men's A Team/ 2026 FIFA North Korea-China World Cup Third Qualifier/ Korea vs Iraq/ Training/ Group/ Photo Kim Jung-wook |
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| Al Fayha Stadium/ Men's A team/ 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup 3rd qualifying round/ Korea vs Iraq/ Training/ Seol Young-woo, Group/ Photo by Kim Jung-wook |
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Adaptation to the local area is the key. Basra is hot and humid at 45 degrees Celsius during the day and 35 degrees Celsius during the evening. But this must also be overcome.
"It's time for the players to produce results," Seol said. "It's not an easy environment for all players. As soon as I arrived at the airport, it was very humid and hot. It is a place where many players have played away games in the Middle East, but they have always played hard games. You have to play what you want to do and bring good results."
He also revealed his goal ambition in a surprise move. "I have assists in the national team, but I don't have a goal. "The first thing to do is bring the result, but I think it would be great if this time it was a game where I scored a goal and won."
Seol moved from Ulsan HD to Serbia's Zvezda last summer. In his European debut season, he achieved a 'double (two golds)' with an outstanding performance. Seol Young-woo, who has established himself as a built-in main player, played a key role in Zvezda's tactics by playing fullback from left and right. Zvezda won both the Serbian Superliga and the Serbian Cup.
`Overall, I gained confidence as I encountered good players rather than big changes or superior skills. There is no such thing as suddenly becoming a better position player in the national team. When I come to the national team, I always have my main brothers. To do my part consistently is to do my part," he stressed.
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| Grand Millennium Al Seef Basra/ Men's A Team/ 2026 FIFA U.S. World Cup Third Qualifier/ Korea vs. Iraq/ Iraq/ Interview/ Seol Young-woo/ Photo Kim Jung-wook |
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| Grand Millennium Al Seef Basra/ Men's A Team/ 2026 FIFA U.S. World Cup Third Qualifier/ Korea vs. Iraq/ Iraq/ Interview/ Lee Tae-seok/ Photo by Kim Jung-wook |
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And "Since the last call-up, he has the largest number of games and the oldest sidebacks. I also feel a sense of responsibility. We want to be quiet and supportive of each other. "We were always in the season when we were called up. It was a difficult environment with a long flight, a time difference, and a long flight. This time, I came in first and rested, so I'm mentally clearer than usual. I feel good, too. I'm in really good shape,' he said, expressing confidence.
Son Heung-min reached the top of the Europa League and enjoyed his first win since his professional debut. Seol Young-woo "Congratulations" to the older brothers who lifted the trophy. Kang-in and Heung-min won such a big competition that mine was buried. "It's a shame " After laughing, "But I gained confidence that I could go to a better league or tournament and lift the trophy. I feel proud of myself as a Korean. I thought it was cool because it shone in Korea."
Lee Tae-seok (Pohang), who has established himself as the future of Korean soccer sideback, said "I'm equally nervous this time." There is a heavy weight in the national team's position. There is also an extreme burden, but you can enter this position only when you overcome the burden. I came in as a beginner"It's a really hot weather, but I think not only about taking care of my body but also about my mentality. You have to pay more attention to managing it. You have to win this game somehow. That way, you can get a World Cup ticket. be focused on this area," he added.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
