Korean soccer went on a trip to China for the World Cup qualifiers for the first time in 6 years and 8 months.
Unlike then, this time, Son Heung-min, the world-class striker that Korean soccer is proud of 카지노사이트랭크
is expected to wear the captain’s armband and a great battle of revenge is expected.
In March 2017, we took the opportunity to avenge the so-called ‘Changsha disaster’.
The Korean national team, led by Jurgen Klinsmann, will play an away game against China in the second round of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asian second qualifying round at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Center in Shenzhen, China, at 9 p.m. on the 21st (Korean time).
The national team will arrive in Shenzhen on the 19th and spend two days to acclimatize before the final match on the 21st.
Korea took its first step toward the World Cup stage in a good mood by ending the first match of the second qualifying round against Singapore held on the 16th with a 5-0 victory.
Korea took the lead with Cho Kyu-sung’s goal at the end of the first half, and scored four goals in the second half to defeat Singapore.
In this process, players placed in the offensive line such as Hwang Hee-chan
Son Heung-min, Hwang Ui-jo, and Lee Kang-in scored goals
continuing the recent good trend.
With this victory, Klinsmann also achieved an undefeated record in six consecutive international matches.
Korea, which lost 0-1 to Peru at home last June, drew 1-1 with North and Central American El Salvador in the same month.
After traveling to England last September, they drew 0-0 with Wales and beat Saudi Arabia 1-0. In last month’s two-game home friendly match
they defeated Tunisia and Vietnam 4-0 and 6-0, respectively.
However, the weight of the two World Cup qualifiers this November is more focused on the game against China on the 21st than on the game against Singapore
which achieved a huge victory earlier.
This is because we lost in the most recent international match away to China.
Korea had a bitter taste in its away trip to China in the 2018 Russia World Cup Asian final qualifier held in March 2017.
At the time, German manager Uli Stielike was in charge, and after conceding a goal to tall opponent Yu Dabao during a corner kick crisis
he bowed his head as he was unable to make up for it.
There was even a term called ‘Changsha disaster’, borrowing from Changsha, China, the city where the game was held.
The defeat at that time, along with the previous defeat against Iran
created a sense of crisis that Korea might not be able to participate in the World Cup.
In the end, coach Stielike was fired and coach Shin Tae-yong took over, and the team managed to lift the mood and maintain second place in the group.
I was able to participate in the World Cup in Russia.
However, the defeat in China six years ago was bound to remain a great shame for Korean soccer and fans.
Of course, in the four subsequent matches, Korea did not lose even once.
They have played a total of 4 games
including the East Asian Football Confederation Cup and the Asian Cup group stage, and are clearly ahead with 3 wins and 1 draw.
Even in the FIFA rankings, Korea ranked 24th and China ranked 79th, and the difference in power is significant.
Nevertheless, not all four games were held in China, so this game may unfold in a different way.
Of course, it is unlikely that the Klinsmann will repeat the ‘Changsha disaster’.
Six years ago, Korea’s main gun Son Heung-min received warnings in succession in the match against Iran and Uzbekistan
and was unable to participate in the match against China due to the accumulation of warnings.
Even though it was difficult for him to participate, he accompanied the team to China and trained with the team, trying to be of help.
However, the game at the time was one of those where Korea showed a frustrating attack against China and Son Heung-min’s absence was felt particularly deeply.
It’s different in this matchup. Son Heung-min can start the game against China without warning.
In the last match against Vietnam and the previous match against Singapore, Korea recorded five goals in two consecutive games with Son Heung-min at the center, Lee Kang-in
Hwang Hee-chan, and Cho Kyu-sung demonstrating synergy.
Son Heung-min also raised the mood by scoring in two consecutive international matches, so he is expected to go on a proper scoring hunt against China.
In particular, for the Chinese national team, which will play defense relatively low against Korea
long-term skills such as the sharp mid-range shot that Son Heung-min showed during the game against Singapore can be a very big threat
and the cooperation at the front line centered on Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in can also be a strong threat to the opponent.
It is predicted that it will help break through the defense.
In addition to Son Heung-min, the national team includes Lee Kang-in, Jung Woo-young, Seol Young-woo, and Park Jin-seop
all of whom have experience playing against China in the previous Asian Games
so the pressure on China, the opponent, is expected to increase even more.
Aside from Korea’s superiority in power, player injury issues appear to be one of the things Klinsmann needs to pay most attention to ahead of this game against China.
Although it wasn’t during the game, Hong Hyun-seok was already excluded from the squad due to a stress fracture, and Son Heung-min was also knocked down on the field for quite some time after being tackled by an opposing player in the last game against Singapore.
Since the rough conditions in the matches against China have often resulted in injuries to Korean players
Klinsmann must also be able to control both the outcome of the game and the risk of injury in order to manage injuries to players during the Asian Cup and in the future.