"I'm so sorry and regretful, I won't give up until the very end"
On the afternoon of the 28th (local time), the Group H second match between South Korea and Ghana was held at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, during the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stage. In the second half, South Korea's Cho Gyu-seong scored an equalizing header and is roaring afterward. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "I thought today’s match was the last one, so I wanted to play with all my heart, but I feel very sorry and disappointed."
Although Jo Gyu-seong became the first Korean player to score multiple goals in a World Cup, he bowed his head apologetically in front of the match result.
The South Korean national football team lost 2-3 to Ghana in the second match of Group H in the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup, held at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, at 10 p.m. (Korean time) on the 28th.
Earlier, South Korea faced a crisis from the start of the second half after conceding the opening and additional goals to Ghana in the first half.
The protagonist of the counterattack was Jo Gyu-seong. In the 13th minute of the second half, Lee Kang-in (Real Mallorca) crossed from the left side, and Jo Gyu-seong immediately headed the ball to score South Korea’s first goal.
The attacking momentum of the Korean players continued. Three minutes later, in the 16th minute of the second half, Kim Jin-su’s cross again met Jo Gyu-seong’s head, leveling the score.
The joy was short-lived as Ghana counterattacked, and Kudus succeeded in scoring an additional goal in the 23rd minute of the second half. South Korea lost 2-3 to Ghana.
Although it was a disappointing match, Jo Gyu-seong made a meaningful record. He became the first Korean player in World Cup history to score multiple goals.
The record was not made overnight. Jo Gyu-seong, who scored 17 goals this year while playing for Gimcheon Sangmu and Jeonbuk Hyundai in the K League, demonstrated his best skills by becoming the top scorer. Through his multiple goals, Jo Gyu-seong also proved his ability on the World Cup stage.
However, Jo Gyu-seong bowed his head in front of the team’s defeat. In a post-match interview, Jo Gyu-seong said, "Today, all the players, the coach, and the coaching staff thought it was the last match and played hard. I am very sorry to the fans cheering from Korea. It’s disappointing."
When a reporter said that Jo Gyu-seong showed that K League players can succeed on the world stage, he said, "Honestly, I’m just an ordinary player, but I managed to score goals on the world stage of the World Cup." He added, "I want to say that if you truly believe in yourself until the end and work hard for your dreams, you can score goals on such a stage. I want to tell young players to have dreams and work hard. I’m just a humble player... I still can’t believe I scored."
The challenge toward the round of 16 is not over yet. Jo Gyu-seong said, "Since there is one match left, I will not give up until the end and work hard," and "If you keep cheering until the end, I will show you my best effort," expressing his determination.
With the defeat against Ghana, South Korea stands 4th in Group H with 1 draw and 1 loss (1 point). The Korean national team is preparing for the third group stage match against Portugal on December 3, which will decide their advancement to the round of 16.
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