Second Match Against Mexico Today: "Beyond the 2002 Semifinal Myth, A New Challenge"

[Anchor]

The South Korean national football team, competing in the North and Central American World Cup, will face host nation Mexico today (June 19) in a clash for the top spot in Group A. Head coach Hong Myung-bo, a key figure in the 2002 semifinal run, expressed his hope that his players will surpass their predecessors and write a new chapter in history.

Lee Jeong-Chan reports from Guadalajara.

[Reporter]

The South Korean players were all smiles during their final training session ahead of the match against Mexico.

Captain Son Heung-min led the team with a bright expression, and the players prepared for the "decisive battle" as if they were playing a game.

Hwang In-beom, the MVP of the match against the Czech Republic, sounded particularly energetic.

[It's mine!]

Head coach Hong Myung-bo stated that all preparations are complete, expressing his wish for his players to surpass the fourth-place finish—the best record for an Asian nation—which he helped achieve as captain of the 2002 national team.

[Hong Myung-bo / Head Coach of the National Football Team: We reached the semifinals in the 2002 World Cup, and I hope our players will go beyond that record. My plans for the starting 11 are finalized.]

Regarding the appearance of an "illegal drone" that had not been approved by FIFA during a closed-door tactical training session two days ago, he expressed strong regret.

[Hong Myung-bo / Head Coach of the National Football Team: I think it is a matter of great regret that such things happened during the most important time.]

Since a victory over Mexico could secure an early spot in the Round of 32 with the team's first-ever two-game winning streak in the group stage, the team switched to closed training to refine their attacking tactics against virtual defenders to break through Mexico's solid organization.

The off-field support battle is already heating up.

With passionate and one-sided support expected from Mexican home fans, about 100 members of the "Red Devils" gathered in a square in downtown Guadalajara to shout "Dae-han-min-guk" (Republic of Korea) at the top of their lungs, vowing to join the team as the "12th player" tomorrow.

[Dae-han-min-guk! Dae-han-min-guk!]

The match against Mexico is a challenge toward another myth.

A victory in the second match, the first of its kind in history, is essential.

Reported by Hwang In-seok | Video by Jeon Min-gyu | Graphics by Park Tae-young
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.