Second Match Against Mexico Tomorrow: "Beyond the 2002 Semifinal Myth, A New Challenge"

[Anchor]

The South Korean national football team, competing in the North and Central American World Cup, will face host nation Mexico tomorrow morning (June 19) to battle for the top spot in Group A. Head coach Hong Myung-bo, a key figure in the 2002 semifinal myth, expressed his hope that his players will surpass their predecessors and write a new chapter in history.

Lee Jeong-Chan reports from Guadalajara, Mexico.

[Reporter]

The South Korean players were all smiles during their final training session ahead of the match against Mexico.

Captain Son Heung-min led the team with a bright expression, and the players prepared for the "decisive battle" as if they were playing a game.

Hwang In-beom, the MVP of the match against the Czech Republic, sounded particularly energetic.

[It's mine~]

Head coach Hong Myung-bo stated that all preparations are complete and expressed his wish for his players to surpass the fourth-place finish he achieved as captain of the 2002 national team, which remains the best performance by an Asian nation.

[Hong Myung-bo / Head Coach of the National Football Team: We reached the semifinals in the 2002 World Cup, and I hope our players will surpass that record. My plan for the starting 11 is set.]

Regarding the appearance of an "illegal drone" that had not been approved by FIFA yesterday, when the team was focusing on closed-door tactical training, he expressed strong regret.

[Hong Myung-bo / Head Coach of the National Football Team: I think it is a matter of great regret that such things happened during the most important time.]

Since a victory over Mexico could secure an early spot in the Round of 32 with the team's first-ever two consecutive wins in the group stage, the national team switched to closed training to refine their attacking tactics against Mexico's solid organization, using virtual defenders.

The off-field cheering battle has already ignited.

Amidst the expected passionate and one-sided support from Mexican home fans, about 100 members of the "Red Devils" gathered in a square in downtown Guadalajara, shouting "Republic of Korea" at the top of their lungs and pledging to play together as the "12th Taegeuk Warrior" tomorrow.

[Republic of Korea! Republic of Korea!]

The match against Mexico is a challenge toward another myth.

A victory in the second match, the first in history, is essential.

Reported by Hwang In-seok | Video by Jeon Min-gyu | Graphics by Park Tae-young
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.