South Korea to Face Mexico in Second Group Match Tomorrow; Hong Myung-bo Hopes to Surpass 2002 Glory

[Anchor]

The South Korean national football team will face Mexico, one of the co-hosts of the North and Central American World Cup, in their second group stage match tomorrow, June 19. Head coach Hong Myung-bo expressed his anticipation for a second consecutive victory, stating that all preparations are complete and the players are full of confidence.

Reporter Ha Sung-ryong has the story.

[Reporter]

From the players to the coaching staff, everyone is wearing a smile.

The national team, which held its final training session one day before the match against Mexico, was filled with energy rather than tension.

With confidence boosted by the comeback victory against the Czech Republic, head coach Hong Myung-bo expressed his expectations for the second match against Mexico, saying that all preparations are complete.

[Hong Myung-bo / Head Coach of the National Football Team: My plans for the starting 11 are finalized. I believe our players have strong confidence right now, and I hope that will be well reflected on the pitch tomorrow.]

The national team, which drew against Mexico in a friendly match held in the United States last September, is aiming for its first-ever World Cup victory against Mexico in its third attempt.

[Hong Myung-bo / Head Coach of the National Football Team: I think the match we played against Mexico in September will be a great help to us. There were things our players gained through that match as well.]

When asked by a foreign reporter if the goal was to achieve the best performance in history, he replied as follows:

[Hong Myung-bo / Head Coach of the National Football Team: We reached the semifinals in the 2002 World Cup, and I hope our players can surpass that record.]

Hwang In-beom, who was the key player in the victory against the Czech Republic and was identified by the Mexican media as the number one player to watch, expressed strong faith in his teammates.

[Hwang In-beom / Midfielder of the National Football Team: I hope (the Mexican players) pay a lot of attention to me. Because we have many better players on our team than me, I think more opportunities will go to them.]

He also predicted that the battle in midfield would be crucial in the match against Mexico.

[Hwang In-beom / Midfielder of the National Football Team: Since Mexico is a team with excellent individual pressing ability, it will be very important how well we can evade that pressure.]

Having finished all preparations, the national team is determined to secure a second consecutive win in the match against Mexico—which is effectively a battle for first place in the group—to clinch an early spot in the Round of 32.

(Video coverage: Hwang In-seok, Video editing: Jeon Min-gyu)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.