The 'Mexico Myth' Written by Seniors: "Our Juniors Can Do It Too!"

[Anchor]

Mexico is the 'land of promise' where South Korean football first caused a sensation on the world stage in the 1980s. The seniors who achieved the legendary semifinals at the 1983 World Youth Championship and secured South Korea's first-ever points at the 1986 World Cup have shared their advice for their juniors.

Reporter Ha Seong-nyong reports.

[Reporter]

Shin Yeon-ho, head coach of Korea University, who led the team to the semifinals—a first for South Korea in a FIFA-sanctioned tournament—by scoring three goals in the 1983 World Youth Championship, still vividly remembers the high altitude of Mexico, where oxygen is scarce and air density is low.

[Shin Yeon-ho / Forward for the 1983 U-20 National Team: (In high-altitude matches) I ran out of breath quickly. The recovery time was slower, and the bounce of the ball was also a bit different.]

He expressed his hope that the juniors would show the same fighting spirit that allowed them to defeat Mexico, despite the overwhelming support from the home crowd.

[Shin Yeon-ho / Forward for the 1983 U-20 National Team: I think it was the first time I felt scared entering a stadium (in Mexico). I remember that after we pulled off a comeback victory against them, the (Mexican) home fans cheered for us, the Republic of Korea, in the following matches.]

Kim Jong-boo, former manager of Gyeongnam FC, who scored in both the youth championship and the Mexico World Cup three years later, predicted that the latter half of the match would be the turning point.

[Kim Jong-boo / Forward for the 1983 U-20 and 1986 World Cup National Teams: In high-altitude matches, the concentration of players on both teams drops after the 30-minute mark of the second half, so I believe Coach Hong Myung-bo is likely considering various (substitution) options.]

Choi Soon-ho, former general manager of Suwon FC and the man behind the thunderous long-range goal against Italy, advised the players to attempt bold long-range shots just as he did.

[Choi Soon-ho / Forward for the 1986 World Cup National Team: I think we might see something like that (a long-range goal) again from players like Lee Kang-in and Son Heung-min.]

The seniors hope that the Hong Myung-bo squad will recreate the glory in Mexico, the 'land of promise.'

[Shin Yeon-ho / Forward for the 1983 U-20 National Team: My wish is for the quarterfinals, but realistically, I hope they definitely achieve the Round of 16.]

[Choi Soon-ho / Forward for the 1986 World Cup National Team: I am rooting for them to play a role in bringing great joy to the people.]

[Choi Soon-ho & Shin Yeon-ho: Go Korea Football!]

Reported by Yoo Dong-hyuk and Yang Doo-won | Video edited by Park Ki-deok | Graphics by Lee So-jung
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.