'Geumuihwanhyang' Bento Team... Son Heung-min "Korean Football Will Keep Moving Forward"

Bentoho Returns Home Amid Applause and Cheers from Fans

Son Heung-min of the South Korean national football team, which reached the Round of 16 in the World Cup for the first time in 12 years, is returning home through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 7th and giving an interview. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] The 2022 Qatar World Cup national team squad returned to the country amid applause and cheers from fans.

On the 7th, 23 national players including Son Heung-min (Tottenham), along with reserve member Oh Hyun-kyu (Suwon), and the coaching staff led by head coach Paulo Bento, arrived in Korea through Incheon International Airport on two separate flights. Kim Seung-gyu (Al Shabab) and Jung Woo-young (Al Sadd), who belong to Middle Eastern clubs, and Jung Woo-young (Freiburg), who plays in the German league, did not return but went back to their respective clubs.

At the welcoming event held immediately after their return at Incheon Airport, head coach Paulo Bento said, "Thank you for coming out to welcome us at the airport. I have been with the national team for a little over four years, and I am grateful for the support from the fans. It was with the encouragement and support of the people that we were able to achieve our goals."

Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, said, "Despite the inconvenient timing, the strong support from many fans and citizens led to good results. I thank all the people who supported us late at night."

The South Korean national soccer team, led by coach Paulo Bento, who achieved advancement to the Round of 16 in the World Cup for the first time in 12 years, returned home through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 7th. They are shouting "Fighting" and taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Yonhap News

When team captain Son Heung-min appeared, the fans' cheers grew louder.

Son Heung-min said, "I want to express my deep gratitude to the many fans who came out to the airport. Thanks to you, we were able to play well in the World Cup and return with good results, which makes me very happy."

He added, "Korean football is not ending here; we will strive to become a team and players who can go further. If you continue to support us like this, we will keep moving forward without looking back."

He continued, "Thank you for making us so happy during the World Cup, and we will continue to work hard to build a good team in the future."

Under Bento’s leadership, the team finished second in the group stage at the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup, advancing to the round of 16 for the first time in 12 years since 2010. After the World Cup ends, the 2022-2023 English Premier League season will resume.