Determination of the '96-Line Trio: "With the Power of Best Friends!"

[Anchor]

The South Korean national football team heading to the North and Central America World Cup features a trio of "best friends" born in 1996: Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang In-beom, and Kim Min-jae. With skills as solid as their friendship, these three have solidified their resolve ahead of the first match against the Czech Republic in three days.

Lee Jeong-Chan reports from Guadalajara.

[Reporter]

As the training camp enters its fourth week, it has been the '96-line trio that has lifted the team's spirits at every critical juncture.

When junior player Cho Wi-je felt the pressure of suddenly filling the void left by Cho Yu-min's injury, Kim Min-jae stepped up to lead him.

[Kim Min-jae/National Team Defender: "Wi-je, you have to keep talking. Constantly!"]

Hwang In-beom, the "core of the midfield," was the first to clearly state the team's goal.

[Hwang In-beom/National Team Midfielder: "I think we can only call it a better result if we reach at least the quarterfinals."]

Hwang Hee-chan, who created an unforgettable moment in Korean football history with his "dramatic goal" against Portugal in the Qatar World Cup four years ago, has been injecting energy into training with his bull-like intensity, promising to recreate that magic.

[Hwang Hee-chan/National Team Forward: "If such a scene happens again, it would be a great situation for me and for our team, so I will work hard to refine it and show it in every match."]

Having grown up together since their school days, winning an Asian Games gold medal, and contributing to the "miracle of the round of 16" at their first World Cup in Qatar, the trio is determined to play an even bigger role this time.

[Hwang Hee-chan/National Team Forward: "We have played in many tournaments together, but every tournament is special. Especially for this one, we have a strong desire to take on greater roles and be of significant help to the team."]

There are three days left until the fateful match against the Czech Republic. Minerva, the "goddess of strategy," is a symbol of Guadalajara.

Our players are dreaming of a historic victory here.

(Reported by Hwang In-seok | Video by Park Ki-deok | Graphics by Hwang Se-yeon)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.