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| 신화 Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| Atrium Health Performance Park (Shalert, USA)/ 2025 FIFA Club World Cup/ Ulsan HDFC/ Training/ Ulsan Group/ Scrum/ Photo by Kim Jung-soo |
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[Charlott (USA) = Sports Chosun Reporter Kim Sung-won] The FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, which has been newly reorganized with 32 teams, has finally come to an end. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), who plays for the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS), opened with 60,927 spectators gathered. Messi's Inter Miami tied Africa's prestigious Al Ahli (Egypt) without scoring in the first Group A match held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida on the 15th (Korea time). Al Ahli threw his first-half penalty shot into the air. Messi slammed into a different class in the second half, but he couldn't open the goal in the end, crying in 'Unfortunate', hitting the post twice.
The showdown between Ulsan HD is also imminent. Ulsan, which is in Group F with Fluminensee (Brazil), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), and Mamelody Sundowns (South Africa), will start its first journey at Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida at 7 a.m. on the 18th. The opponent is Marmelody. But the 'enemies' are laughing. Ulsan is considered the weakest in the U.S. Club World Cup broadcaster 'DAZN' placed Ulsan 32nd in the 32-team power rankings, 'last place'. Sports media 'The Athletic' also ranked 31st.
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| Pohang Steel Yard/ K League1/ Pohang Steelers vs. Gangwon FC/ Group/ Photo Kim Jung-soo |
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| Pohang Steel Yard/ K League1/ Pohang Steelers vs. Gangwon FC/ Group/ Photo Kim Jung-soo |
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Ulsan, which dreams of advancing to the round of 16, is a war against 'unexpected' Ulsan players who set up a base camp in Charlotte, North Carolina, the U.S., are also heating up their desire to win. Captain Kim Young-kwon(35), who is a 'miracle incarnation', said "Has there ever been a high (pre)evaluation in the national competition or the Club World Cup? There wasn't. It was always the same. Of course, it hurts my pride, but that's the truth. Predictions don't matter. "I didn't know if I would advance to the round of 16 at the Qatar World Cup either. Something unexpected always happens in football. Even if you say so, you don't have to listen. Rather, it seems to be an opportunity for players to work hard. No player feels good to hear that. You have to accept it and get through it"He fired up his fighting spirit. He, who has been on the World Cup stage for three times as a member of the national team and this time at the club, scored the winning goal (2-0 Korean victory) against the world's strongest Germany at the 2018 Russia tournament. He also scored an equalizer in the match against Portugal (2-1 Korea win) at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, leading the team to advance to the round of 16 away matches at the World Cup for the first time in 12 years. Ulsan coach Kim Pan-gon said, "(External evaluation) should be accepted. You have to evaluate it coldly and then "32nd place doesn't mean you're ranked 32nd. 'Last place' is also the first place. We must do our best by maximizing our capabilities. He promised to make a big turnaround by saying to the players, `You guys can go to the round of 16 enough.'
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
