Captured Requesting Restraint in the Stands After the Match
Son Heung-min Also Says, "Please Support Us at Home"
On the 5th, when the match between the South Korean national football team and the Palestine national team took place, an incident where Kim Min-jae confronted some fans who booed from the stands drew attention later on.
Earlier, the South Korean team led by coach Hong Myung-bo drew with Palestine in the first match of Group B in the third round of the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup Asian qualifiers held at Seoul World Cup Stadium that day.
The score was 0-0. Although the match was held at home, the national team hardly received any 'cheering effect.' Some cheering squads that dominated the stands even hung banners criticizing coach Hong, the Korea Football Association, and KFA chairman Chung Mong-gyu.
In particular, when the announcer called out coach Hong’s name during the player introductions, boos erupted from the stands. It was reported that fans continued to criticize coach Hong and chairman Chung even after the final whistle.
At that moment, unable to overlook the situation, Kim Min-jae approached the fans and directly asked for restraint. A video taken at the scene shows that when Kim Min-jae approached the stands, the fans applauded. Kim Min-jae, with a serious expression, raised both hands making a gesture asking for restraint, then placed his hands on his waist and approached a fan to speak. Afterwards, he turned around and walked back to the field.
The fan who posted the video on an online community explained, "(Kim Min-jae) asked twice before leaving," adding, "It seems he was asking to refrain from the occasional criticism directed at the association during the match." In fact, Kim Min-jae also requested at the post-match press conference, "I hope the players will be cheered on."
Team captain Son Heung-min agreed with Kim Min-jae. At the press conference, he emphasized, "Such cases (criticizing the coach, etc.) should never happen again," and said, "At home, we must not make enemies ourselves. Fans should think about how they can help us break down the opponent, and we ask for a lot of support."
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