Son Heung-min "An Achievement Made Through Everyone's Efforts
Not Shaken Even in Difficult Situations"
"'Jungggeokma' Has a Really Big Impact on the Players"
Son Heung-min expressing his thoughts immediately after returning to Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 7th, following the South Korean national football team's advancement to the Round of 16 in the World Cup for the first time in 12 years. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lee Gyehwa] The emotion of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup's "Dreams Come True" continued with "The important thing is an unbreakable spirit."
Head coach Paulo Bento and the South Korean national football team, including captain Son Heung-min, arrived at Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 7th. Son Heung-min (30, Tottenham), who showed a "mask fighting spirit" during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, expressed that he was satisfied not only with the results but also with the process of the tournament.
"Players tried not to waver"
"We prepared in the same direction for 4 years to achieve this result"
The national team reached the round of 16 for the first time in 12 years since the 2010 South Africa World Cup. In the group stage, they drew 0-0 with Uruguay and lost 2-3 to Ghana. They showed fighting spirit in every match, including a 2-1 victory over European powerhouse Portugal. In the round of 16, they faced the strong title contender Brazil and suffered a 1-4 defeat. However, fans did not hesitate to encourage the players who showed great determination.
Son Heung-min, who suffered an orbital fracture and underwent surgery during his club match last month, played full-time in all four matches up to the round of 16 while wearing a facial protective mask. At a press conference after returning home, Son said, "If you had asked me 3 or 4 weeks ago whether I could play four full matches, the answer would probably have been no," adding, "But I am grateful that I was able to play until the round of 16. (My condition is) okay. I think I am recovering well."
Reflecting on this World Cup, Son emphasized, "The biggest strength that allowed us to reach the round of 16 was that everyone worked hard behind the scenes. There is no doubt about that," and added, "Every team works extremely hard to reach the round of 16, but we made even greater efforts to achieve this difficult result."
He continued, "If we had wavered, it would have shown on the field as well. The perseverance to overcome difficult situations is because we prepared well during the process," and said, "I saw the efforts of the team members up close. Young players must have been nervous, trembling, and scared on their first World Cup stage, but I am really grateful that they showed such courage without any fear."
He added, "We definitely could have done better, but meeting Brazil, a title contender, in the round of 16 was, in a way, unlucky. Although it was a situation we created, the players must have felt it a lot. Based on this experience, the players will grow more and the national team can develop further."
The national team players Hwang Hee-chan (from left), Hwang In-beom, Kim Min-jae, and Na Sang-ho, who secured victory against Portugal in the third match of Group H in the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stage, advancing to the round of 16.
"The important thing is an unbreakable spirit"
"If there is even a 1% chance, I will run forward without looking back"
After the national team’s dramatic comeback victory against Portugal, a Taegeukgi flag with the phrase "The important thing is an unbreakable spirit" was waved, and this phrase became a hot topic. This phrase, also abbreviated as "Jungkkokma," became a kind of meme representing a strong will that never gives up under any circumstances.
Before the World Cup started, Son Heung-min, who had predicted a fighting spirit despite injury by saying, "If there is even a 1% chance, I will run forward without looking back," said, "Our players really ran forward looking only at the possibility. They did their best and showed fighting spirit," adding, "('The important thing is an unbreakable spirit') is really a cool phrase. It had a great impact on the players. I hope the players, our team, and the people also move forward without breaking in life."
Son also expressed heartfelt feelings toward Oh Hyun-gyu (Suwon), who traveled to Qatar as a "reserve member" of the national team in preparation for Son’s injury or withdrawal. He said, "I want to say thank you to Hyun-gyu here. He is a player who sacrificed because of me, but he knew exactly what role he had to play and fulfilled it faithfully," adding, "Although he was not on the final roster, he was the most important player among those who were with me at the World Cup."
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