Crucial Match Against Czech Republic on the 12th; Son Heung-min: "I Want to Bloom on the Stage of My Dreams"

[Anchor]

The global festival, the North and Central America World Cup, kicks off tomorrow (the 12th). South Korea will face the Czech Republic, a team known for their physicality and strength, in the first match tomorrow. Captain Son Heung-min said that as all the players have prepared with such passion, he hopes to "see the flowers bloom" on the "stage of his dreams."

Lee Jung-chan reports from Mexico.

[Reporter]

The expressions of the "Taegeuk Warriors" were solemn as they headed into their final training session ahead of the match against the Czech Republic.

Head coach Hong Myung-bo gave his final instructions for over four minutes just before training began, and the players, with their resolve hardened, prepared for the "crucial first match" with confident expressions.

[Hong Myung-bo/Head Coach of the National Football Team: I don't think our team has been negligent in preparing for this tournament. I believe we have created an atmosphere where we can play excitedly, enjoyably, and very energetically.]

With Coach Hong stating that his plans for the starting 11 against the Czech Republic are already finalized, captain Son Heung-min, who is set to make his fourth World Cup appearance, expressed his anticipation, saying he wants to show the results of the hard work put in during the more than three-week training camp.

[Son Heung-min/Captain of the National Football Team: I still think of it as the 'stage of my dreams.' Since the players have prepared so passionately, I really want to say that I hope 'the flowers will bloom' from that preparation.]

He specifically highlighted the team's high morale, which has been boosted by systematically adapting to the environment in Guadalajara, including the high altitude, since their time in Salt Lake City, USA.

[Son Heung-min/Captain of the National Football Team: The atmosphere among the players is so good, and I can see it in their eyes and their mindset. I believe we will definitely be able to show a great performance.]

At the same time, he expressed caution regarding the Czech Republic, a "tall squad" filled with "big leaguers," and vowed to pour everything into the match.

[Son Heung-min/Captain of the National Football Team: I believe we need to show more than 100 percent of our ability to win. These are matches so important that we are putting our lives on the line.]

All preparations have been completed as planned.

Now is the time to reach our full potential and prove it with results.

(Video reporting: Hwang In-seok, Video editing: Ha Seong-won)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.