What Is the Key to Beating Mexico? Will We See the 'Son Heung-min Shift'?

[Anchor]

World Cup news. After taking some time to regroup following the victory against the Czech Republic, our national team has resumed training as they prepare for what is effectively a battle for first place in the group against the host nation, Mexico. Changes to the attacking lineup are particularly expected.

Lee Jeong-Chan reports from Guadalajara.

[Reporter]

After taking a day off yesterday (June 14) to go out and recharge,

[Hwang In-beom/National Football Team Midfielder: I rested well.]

the team gathered at the training ground with much brighter expressions, despite the drizzling rain.

[Lee Jae-sung/National Football Team Midfielder: For our second victory!]

After warming up with strength training indoors, the players hit the pitch and poured out plenty of sweat.

Head coach Hong Myung-bo closely monitored the players' physical conditions, paying particular attention to those who had limited playing time in the match against the Czech Republic.

The area where Coach Hong is seeking change is the 'front line.'

To exploit the vacancy left by the opponent's key defender, he is considering the so-called 'Son Heung-min shift.' This involves starting Oh Hyeon-gyu—the 'joker' who overcame a fever to score the comeback goal—and moving Son Heung-min from striker to the flank to maximize attacking power.

[Hong Myung-bo/National Football Team Head Coach: Son Heung-min is in excellent scoring form... I felt that the captain's role is essential to provide stability to the players around him.]

In particular, Son Heung-min and Oh Hyeon-gyu are expected to be the 'winning cards,' as both scored in a friendly match against Mexico last year.

[Oh Hyeon-gyu/National Football Team Forward: Since it is Mexico's home turf, we will analyze the opponent well and prepare thoroughly to give 100 percent or even more of what we are capable of.]

Lee Dong-gyeong, who scored two 'wonder goals' against Mexico during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, is also waiting for the order to take the field.

The national team, which showed confidence by opening their training session for a longer period than usual, will begin full-scale, customized training for the match against Mexico starting tomorrow.

Reported by Hwang In-seok | Video by Park Jeong-sam | Graphics by Jang Chae-woo
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.