[Anchor]
With South Korean football in desperate need of a turnaround, the Asian Games national team has begun intensive preparations in pursuit of four consecutive gold medals.
Reporter Pyeon Gwanghyeon visited the first training session, which kicked off with a fierce determination.
[Reporter]
Seemingly mindful of the recent cold gaze toward South Korean football, the players showed a serious expression and steeled their resolve from the very first day of the call-up.
Led by wildcard Lee Gi-hyuk, who has experience in the North and Central America World Cup, 14 K-League players commenced training by shouting energetic chants. In particular, Kang Sang-yun, who went to the North and Central America World Cup as a training partner, expressed a uniquely resolute mindset.
[Kang Sang-yun / Asian Games Football National Team : Everyone seems to be in a very determined state, and I think we need to apply (our World Cup experience) well and prepare thoroughly so that we can achieve our desired goal.]
Last January, the team suffered the humiliation of losing to Uzbekistan and Japan, who fielded under-21 squads, at the U-23 Asian Cup. Although this national team lacks "superstars" like Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in, head coach Lee Min-sung reinforced the squad by selecting a record-breaking nine European-based players, including Bae Jun-ho and Yang Hyun-jun, and promised to show a changed side in Nagoya and undoubtedly win a fourth consecutive gold medal.
[Lee Min-sung / Asian Games Football National Team Head Coach : The process hasn't been smooth, but I think it will serve as a great tonic for us, and we will do our absolute best to win the gold medal.]
The national team will depart for the battleground this coming Sunday to prepare for their match against Qatar on the 15th.
(Video by Yoo Dong-hyuk, Video Editing by Ha Seong-won)
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