Kim Hak-bum's Team Faces Honduras Today for Revenge... A Draw Secures Quarterfinals Spot

Bitter Defeat in Rio Olympics Semifinals
Then-Selected Kwon Chang-hoon’s Chance for Revenge
Korea Currently 1st in Group B on Goal Difference
If Win Today, Advance to Quarterfinals as 1st
If Lose, Certain Elimination and Return Home
Quarterfinals Spot Sparks Intense Korea-Japan Match Interest

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Riding high on a dominant offensive performance that crushed Romania, the Kim Hak-beom-led team now faces Honduras. This is a crucial match that will determine advancement to the quarterfinals. There is no room for retreat. Even a draw secures a spot in the quarterfinals, but a loss means boarding a flight back home. For us, it is also a chance for revenge. Honduras defeated our team, led by then-coach Shin Tae-yong, in the men's football quarterfinals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, ending our run to the semifinals. Coach Kim Hak-beom said, "We have finished analyzing the opponent. We will definitely win."

◆ Kwon Chang-hoon gearing up for Honduras = Kwon Chang-hoon (27, Suwon) has a debt to repay to Honduras. He was on the field five years ago in Rio when we lost to Honduras and failed to reach the semifinals. Kwon started in that match and played actively but could not prevent the team's 0-1 defeat. The team, which had advanced from the group stage with 2 wins and 1 draw and was in high spirits, suffered a big shock. It was also a painful result for Kwon, who was participating in the Olympics for the first time and dreaming of a medal.

Five years later, the opportunity for revenge has come. Kwon was selected as a wildcard (over 24 years old) for this team and will face Honduras once again. He said, "I was young and inexperienced five years ago. This time will be different. I will share what I have experienced with my teammates."

Kwon took three shots in the first match against New Zealand, but none found the net. He also came on as a substitute in the second match against Romania but did not record a goal or assist. Will it be different in the upcoming match against Honduras? On the 27th, during team training in Japan, Kwon was scheduled for an official interview with the press but politely declined, saying he wanted to focus on preparing for the Honduras match.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Draw secures quarterfinals, loss means elimination... Will we face Japan? = Our team will advance to the quarterfinals if they draw with Honduras. However, the rankings could change. Currently, all four teams in Group B have identical records of 1 win and 1 loss, with equal points. We lead the group with a goal difference of +3. If we defeat Honduras in the final match, we will maintain first place and advance to the quarterfinals. In case of a draw, if the New Zealand-Romania match ends in a draw, we finish first; if there is a winner, we finish second and still advance. But if we lose, we are eliminated without exception.

If we reach the quarterfinals, there is intense interest in whether we will face Japan, our fateful rival from Group A. Japan currently leads Group A with two consecutive wins and will play their third group match today against France. Japan will advance as group leader as long as they do not lose to France by two or more goals. Therefore, the most likely scenario is that Japan finishes first in Group A and we finish second in Group B after drawing with Honduras, setting up a quarterfinal match between the two.

The Korea-Japan football match is expected to be a 'big issue' at this Tokyo Olympics. Given the recent chilly relations between the two countries across political and social fields, the match carries even more significance. It is a burdensome confrontation for the players. The Olympic football record between Korea and Japan stands at 13 matches, with Korea narrowly leading with 5 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses. The most recent encounter was the 2012 London Olympics bronze medal match, where the team led by coach Hong Myung-bo defeated Japan 2-0.