The goal is clear. The Korean team is aiming to advance to the Olympics for the 10th consecutive time. The U-23 national soccer team led by Hwang Sun-hong started its training session in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province on Sunday. It will play in the final preliminary round of the 2024 Asian Football Confederation U-23 Cup and Paris Olympics. The teams ranking first to third in this year’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will advance directly to the finals of the Paris Olympics. The fourth-ranked team will play the fourth-ranked team in Africa through an intercontinental playoff. Korea will have a showdown with the UAE, China, 10 p.m. on Wednesday, and Japan, 10 p.m. on Wednesday in Group B. Korea will seek to advance to the Olympics finals for its 10th consecutive time since the 1988 Seoul Games.
“It is very difficult to advance to the Olympics for the 10th consecutive time. But I have to do it. I have to do it. I have extraordinary determination. I expect it to be a difficult competition, but I will work hard so that the players can achieve the goal we want. It is also a burden. It is obvious that it is a difficult process. No one advances for granted. Personally, I feel a lot of responsibility. We have to do it. We have to do it for the first time. I feel a lot of motivation. I will do it with a sense of responsibility.”
He is in a hurry. He does not have enough time to work together. Hwang briefly led the A team as a firefighter until recently. At the 2024 WAFF U-23 Championship in Saudi Arabia last month, the team was led by senior coach Myung Jae-yong. “We have about 10 days to prepare. I think the most important thing is how much we can have the same mindset and go in the same direction,” Hwang said.
The timing of Hwang’s overseas participation is also uncertain. Ahead of the upcoming championship, Hwang called in Bae Joon-ho (Stock City), Kim Ji-soo (Brentford), Yang Hyun-joon (Celtic), Kim Min-woo (Dusseldorf) and Jung Sang-bin (Minnesota). The timing of their participation is a question mark. “I think I will join the championship as soon as possible. There are several variables. Still, I will prepare with hope. I am thinking about plan B as well.” Bae returned early at the request of his team during the WAFF event. The same situation could happen in this year’s championship. “We can’t tell you for sure right now. However, we have to make a decision as soon as possible. We are still waiting for their response. I think we should have hope and think about it,” Hwang added.
Still, the team is in disarray. However, the mood at the training was not bad on the first day. Excluding Baek Sang-hoon (FC Seoul), who took rest due to injury, five players from European leagues participated in the training. Hwang elevated the mood by communicating with each player. “Argentina did not think that Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) alone won the World Cup. It is because other players were playing together. It is impossible to win a certain competition on our own. We have the slogan of “One team, one goal.” No one can participate in the competition with the same mindset. No one can take part in the Olympics. Many fans are looking forward to it. I feel heavy on our shoulders. We will make sure to come back with the goal we want,” said striker Ahn Jae-joon (Bucheon FC). “At the Hangzhou Asian Games, my seniors told me to be confident because it is okay to make mistakes. I felt such words greatly in the stadium. This time, I think I will do well if I fully read the team and instill confidence in them.” Midfielder Hong Yoon-sang (Pohang Steelers) said, “I will stage the competition with confidence that I can do well.”
Hwang will depart for the UAE on May 5 and go to Dubai for a final training session. He will have a practice match with a Middle Eastern team on May 9 and arrive in Doha on May 10. 토토사이트 추천