Coach Hong Myung-bo praised Son Heung-min's long-distance travel → jet lag adaptation, excellent record of most appearances
Oct 09, 2025
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This is what Hong Myung-bo, coach of the South Korean national football team, said.
South Korea will play against Brazil at the Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8 p.m. on the 10th for a friendly match for the national soccer team invited by Hana Bank.
Coach Hong said in an official press conference on the 9th, `I think it's a very good opportunity for us to prepare for the World Cup. He's a strong opponent. I will prepare well so that I can have a good game"There are not many friendly matches left. In order to make use of the meaning of the warm-up match, there is something important to increase competitiveness rather than the current results through games against strong teams. I think that is important to us. Of course, the outcome cannot be predicted. I think our players are in good shape. It's going to be a difficult and tough game. I think he will do his best."
Brazil is sixth in the FIFA rankings. South Korea will face its strongest opponent since the launch of the `Hong Myung-bo 2nd' in July last year. Vinicius Junior, Hodrigo (Real Madrid), Hishalisson (Tottenham) and Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) are on standby for the offense. João Gómez (Wolverhampton) and Joelinton (Newcastle) will be in the midfield, starting with Casemiro 'Captain'Casemiro (Manchester United). The defense includes Eder Militão (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalyangis (Arnall), and Douglas Santos (Genit). Some say it is a golden opportunity to test the three-back.
Hong said, "(Three-back) needs a coach's philosophy on tactics. What's more important than that is whether the player composition fits well or not. In that respect, one of the reasons why we continue to experiment with three-backs is that Korean soccer has excellent second-line resources in front of it, but I think the ability of the central defender is very good. We played three-back for the first time in the U.S. expedition. This is the second time. I think it's faster for players to feel tactics than they think. I haven't decided on this tactic specifically, but I feel that accepting it is faster than ever. I think he's doing well. I think not only the defender but also the player in front of him is playing compactly well. The role of wing-backs may be a little different. When we say three-back, there is a perception that it is defensive, but defense has its own role. "Because I play aggressive soccer, I think I have to make good use of the players' characteristics and prepare better for the rest of the year."
Meanwhile, head coach Hong said to Son Heung-min (LAFC), who is about to record the most appearances in Korean men's A-match games. In the meantime, he will become the player who has played the most games for the Korean national team. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart. Even better, there have always been long-distance trips whenever Son Heung-min travels not only to Korea but also to Europe. It's a very difficult task. There is nothing more difficult than that. We have to come and perform well while maintaining good condition. The time difference is different. When I see that, the number of games I have is the same, but there is a difference. I really think it's great to have the most games in the true men's A team in Korea. I expect to see a good game against Brazil. I hope Son Heungmin takes all the other records I have."
The following is a Q&A session with director Hong Myung-bo.
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▶I think it's a very good opportunity from the standpoint of preparing for the World Cup. He's a strong opponent. I will prepare well so that I can have a good game.
- a preparatory process.
▶There are not many friendly matches left. In order to make use of the meaning of the warm-up match, there is something important to increase competitiveness rather than the current results through games against strong teams. I think that is important to us. Of course, the outcome cannot be predicted. I think our players are in good shape. It's going to be a difficult and tough game. I think I'll do my best.
- I've been using a three-back lately. It is said that the winger of the three-back is more difficult. I wonder if resources are available now and how much understanding you have compared to 2002.
▶We need a director's philosophy on tactics. What's more important than that is whether the player composition fits well or not. In that respect, one of the reasons why we continue to experiment with three-backs is that Korean soccer has excellent second-line resources in front of it, but I think the ability of the central defender is very good. We played three-back for the first time in the U.S. expedition. This is the second time. I think it's faster for players to feel tactics than they think. I haven't decided on this tactic specifically, but I feel that accepting it is faster than ever. I think he's doing well. I think not only the defender but also the player in front of him is playing compactly well. The role of wing-backs may be a little different. When we say three-back, there is a perception that it is defensive, but defense has its own role. Since I play aggressive soccer, I think I should make good use of the characteristics of the players and prepare better for the rest of the year.
- I wonder if it's technical or other psychological aspects when you go to the World Cup.
The ▶ World Cup stage is a dream stage as a soccer player. I think it's a performance that I really want to go out on. Korean soccer had a lot of setbacks. In my experience, I think there is a little difference between the World Cup and now. Whether you succeed or fail after this World Cup, there will certainly be regret and disappointment. If you fail, you will regret it in the process, and if you succeed, I think there will be a sense of disappointment behind it. Players with or without World Cup experience can also play. Unexperienced players should be made like experienced players. Experienced players think there must be that fear. You have to instill the heart of going out for the first time. It is the role of the coaching staff. I think it's the atmosphere within the team. The atmosphere of the team is very important. It should be supported. I plan to prepare while paying attention to the young part so that I can have a good atmosphere.
- Kim Minjae's condition.
▶No problem at all. I have no problem with my condition in the game. We are well protected in here. There is no problem at all.
- Son Heung-min can set the record for the most A matches.
▶There is always a new person coming up. In the meantime, he will become the player who has played the most games for the Korean national team. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart. Even better, there have always been long-distance trips whenever Son Heung-min travels not only to Korea but also to Europe. It's a very difficult task. There is nothing more difficult than that. We have to come and perform well while maintaining good condition. The time difference is different. When I see that, the number of games I have is the same, but there is a difference. I really think it's great to have the most games in the true men's A team in Korea. I expect to see a good game against Brazil. I hope Son Heung-min takes all the other records I have.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
