Hong Myung-bo, who was satisfied with the first impression of the beginning of the Cheonan era, the pitch that the players should be satisfied with, let's do well from the first training

Nov 10, 2025

Hong Myung-bo, who was satisfied with the first impression of the beginning of the Cheonan era, the pitch that the players should be satisfied with, let's do well from the first training



Hong Myung-bo, who was satisfied with the first impression of the beginning of the Cheonan era, the pitch that the players should be satisfied with, let's do well from the first training
A panoramic view of the stadium of the Korea Football Center. Photo (Cheonan) = Yoon Jin-man Reporter Yoon Jin-man@sportschosun.com
Hong Myung-bo, who was satisfied with the first impression of the beginning of the Cheonan era, the pitch that the players should be satisfied with, let's do well from the first training
photo courtesy of the Korea Football Association
We can't afford to get wet from the appreciation of 'new house'. Hong Myung-bo, the head coach of the A national soccer team, who entered the finals mode of the 2026 North Korea-China World Cup, was full of determination to win only 'Results'. Coach Hong said in an interview at the Korea Football Center Stadium in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do on the 10th, `It is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses revealed in the last game and move forward rather than doing something new as a whole. This is the last warm-up match of the year, and in that sense, the result is very important. We will focus as much as we can on getting results by playing according to the existing plan." The national team will play a friendly A match against Bolivia at Daejeon World Cup Stadium on the 14th and Ghana at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 18th. The draw for the North Korea-China World Cup finals will reflect the FIFA rankings reflecting the results of the November A match, so it is important not only to win the contents of the two consecutive games but also the results. South Korea ranked 22nd, the Port 2 border, in the October FIFA rankings. Asked what he wanted to gain the most from the two games, Hong repeatedly said "Results." "More than seven months are left until the World Cup finals. The two consecutive games are also a process, and it is most urgent to enter Port 2 at the draw ceremony. We must win," he stressed.

During this convocation period, the points of concern and expectation are clear. First of all, the concern is the injury of Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Lee Dong-kyung (Ulsan), and Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City) midfielder trio. The three players were injured side by side ahead of the November call-up. The Korea Football Association replaced Bae Joon-ho (Stoke City) and Seo Min-woo (Gangwon) to put out the urgent fire. Director Hong said "It's a concern. The waist is a very important part of soccer. We have to do our best to make a combination over the next three days. I intend to communicate more intensively with the players as well." The remaining central midfielders include Jens Kastrov (Mönchengladbach) and Kim Jin-kyu (Jeonbuk) and Seo Min-woo.

Hong Myung-bo, who was satisfied with the first impression of the beginning of the Cheonan era, the pitch that the players should be satisfied with, let's do well from the first training
Hong Myung-bo, who was satisfied with the first impression of the beginning of the Cheonan era, the pitch that the players should be satisfied with, let's do well from the first training
A panoramic view of the stadium of the Korea Football Center. Photo (Cheonan) = Yoon Jin-man Reporter Yoon Jin-man@sportschosun.com
The expected point is the return of tall striker Cho Kyu-sung (Mit Willan). Cho Kyu-sung reopened the national team for the first time in a year and 10 months. Coach Hong, who flew to Denmark and watched Cho Kyu-sung's game 'intuitively', said "He has recovered from his injury and is physically ready." However, his sense of play is not yet complete. I selected him because I thought it would be too late next March, and that the national team should play a role in helping the player at this time. I hope you understand that it's a step to get rid of the depressed time and find good condition." Competition in good faith with captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) Oh Hyun-kyu (Henk) is inevitable. In response, Hong replied, "(I think you know everything about Cho Kyu-sung's characteristics.) I hope you don't expect too much this time."Depending on the opponent team, Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) and Oh Hyun-kyu will be used in various ways.




Coach Hong hoped that the newly opened Korea Football Center would be helpful in achieving two consecutive wins this time. Coach Hong, who said that when he first entered Paju NFC in 2001, overlapped, said, `Before, I had difficulties such as moving by bus while living in a hotel. The advantage of the soccer center is that players rest more comfortably and train more intensively. The most important thing for the players is the pitch condition, which I think will satisfy the players", he commented.

Then "This is where the future culture of Korean soccer is now formed. With that sense of responsibility, we need to do our best in our first training."






This article was translated by Naver AI translator.