'World Cup Round of 16 Achievement' Korean National Team, Including Bento, Returns on the 7th

Dispersal After Brief Return Ceremony at Incheon Airport
Coach Bento and Son Heung-min Also Return Together

On the 6th (Korean time), the Round of 16 match between South Korea and Brazil in the 2022 Qatar World Cup was held at the 974 Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The national team players are taking a team photo before the match. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] The South Korean national soccer team, which advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time in 12 years at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, is heading home.

On the 6th, the Korea Football Association announced, "Among the Korean players who completed the 2022 Qatar World Cup schedule, all except three players?midfielder Jung Woo-young (Qatar Al Sadd), goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu (Saudi Arabia Al Shabab), and midfielder Jung Woo-young (Germany Freiburg)?are scheduled to return home."

The team will arrive at Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 7th in two groups due to flight arrangements. Head coach Paulo Bento, senior coach Sergio Costa, and 10 players including Son Heung-min (Tottenham) will travel on a direct flight departing from Doha, Qatar.

The coaching staff of five and 14 players will return home via Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The team is expected to hold a brief homecoming event at Incheon Airport before disbanding.

Jung Woo-young, who plays in Qatar, will remain there. Kim Seung-gyu and Jung Woo-young will head to Saudi Arabia and Germany respectively according to their club schedules.

Coach Bento, whose contract with the association has ended, plans to return to his homeland Portugal after settling his affairs. European-based players such as 'Captain' Son Heung-min, 'Monster Defender' Kim Min-jae (Napoli), and 'Hero of the Portugal Match' Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) will also take a short break before returning to their clubs.

The South Korean team lost 1-4 to the 'world's strongest' Brazil in the Round of 16 match held on the morning of the 6th at the 974 Stadium in Doha, Qatar. However, they achieved the goal of advancing to the Round of 16. Advancing to the Round of 16 in the World Cup has only happened three times, including the legendary 4th place finish at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.