Ha Seok-ju, Who Experienced Both Joy and Sorrow Against Mexico: "Remember Me and Beware of Red Cards"

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In the history of Korean football, one name immediately comes to mind when mentioning matches against Mexico. It is Ha Seok-ju, the current head coach of Ajou University, who experienced both heaven and hell during the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France—scoring the country's first-ever opening goal in the tournament, only to be sent off shortly after. Coach Ha offered some advice to his juniors, telling them to "be careful of red cards and return as heroes."

Reporter Cho Min-ki met with him.

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For Ha Seok-ju, head coach of Ajou University, the moment he scored South Korea's first-ever World Cup goal against Mexico in the opening match of the 1998 France World Cup remains vivid.

[Ha Seok-ju/Head Coach, Ajou University: I think I kicked it hard, and it deflected off the opponent's head and went in. I felt like, 'Wow, we might actually win this,' and the atmosphere was really great.]

He cheered with his arms wide open, but the joy did not even last three minutes.

He was forced to leave the pitch after receiving the only red card of his football career for a tackle from behind.

[Ha Seok-ju/Head Coach, Ajou University: As I was running to apply pressure, I slipped, and my leg went into the opponent in that situation.]

The national team suffered a 3-1 comeback defeat, and after a shocking loss in the following match against the Netherlands led to the mid-tournament dismissal of head coach Cha Bum-kun, Ha went through such a difficult time that he even considered retirement.

[Ha Seok-ju/Head Coach, Ajou University: I disappointed so many fans, and I felt I had committed such a great sin against coach Cha Bum-kun that I thought about retiring from the national team...]

Now, as fate would have it, the Korean national team is set to face Mexico again in North and Central America, following their previous encounter at the Russia World Cup. Coach Ha advised his juniors to use his experience as a cautionary tale.

[Ha Seok-ju/Head Coach, Ajou University: Since there is VAR, I hope they will think of me and be careful about red cards.]

Coach Ha expressed his hope that his juniors would secure their first World Cup victory against Mexico and write a new chapter in the history of Korean football.

[Ha Seok-ju/Head Coach, Ajou University: I hope they have a tournament where all our citizens can praise them as heroes when they return.]

(Video reporting: Yang Doo-won, Video editing: Choi Jin-hwa)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.