Hong Myung-bo, Who is with Son Heung-min for the First Time in 10 Years says, "Unnecessary Burden will be Shared"
Second attempt at national team coaching after Brazil World Cup, Son Heung-min who has grown into captain, expresses faith in him “Prepare to score many goals... Focus on winning”
“The captain’s role can be much greater than mine.
As a coach, I will share the burden that I unnecessarily carried.”
Coach Hong Myung-bo said this at a press conference held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 4th, a day before the first match of Group B in the 3rd round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup against Palestine, along with Son Heung-min (Tottenham).
The first match against Palestine on the 5th is Coach Hong’s return to the national team leadership after 10 years. 카지노사이트 추천
Coach Hong, who emerged as a hero of Korean soccer after winning a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, stepped down in disgrace after failing in the 2014 Brazil World Cup.
Since then, he has worked as an administrator at the Korea Football Association and as a coach in the Chinese league and K-League, never leaving the soccer field, and he took up the national team leadership again in July after 10 years.
Even under Hong Myung-bo, Son Heung-min, the top scorer in the English Premier League (EPL), is his most powerful weapon.
Son Heung-min, who was expected to be the next-generation ace of Korean soccer 10 years ago, has risen to become the best goal scorer in Asia, not just in Korea.
Coach Hong said, “The role of captain can be much bigger than mine,” and “I expect him to play his role as he has done so far.”
He also said that he would share the burden of leadership that Son Heung-min had carried.
Coach Hong said, "I feel a sense of unnecessary burden, but since I also know the role of the national team, as a coach, I will share what I have to share, and (Son Heung-min) will be able to play his role within the team well by being free from a lighter, unnecessary sense of responsibility, including in terms of his personal condition."
Regarding the plan to utilize the next ace Lee Kang-in, he emphasized, “Lee Kang-in’s offensive ability stands out in terms of the attack route,” and “We have Son Heung-min on the other side (left), and we also have strikers and midfielders in the middle, so it’s important to make them more efficient and complete.”
Palestine (96th) is a weaker team, 73 places lower than Korea (23rd) in the FIFA rankings.
Coach Hong warned, “The movement of the opposing team’s two strikers is very threatening, and they have more ability than we think in terms of organization,” but also said, “As aggressive as the opponent is, there are also weaknesses.
I think it’s a good opportunity to score since our players have experience and ability.”
The third preliminary round is practically the final preliminary round.
This match against Palestine can be said to be the starting point of the challenge to advance to the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time.
Coach Hong Myung-bo said, “Since it’s the first match, the fans will have high expectations,” and vowed, “We will prepare to score a lot, but we will focus on winning.”
