Hwang Moon-ki's determination to 'first strike'"I don't think about the World Cup, I'll do every training as if it's the last time"
Sep 03, 2024
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It was the determination of Hwang Moon-ki (Gangwon). South Korea's A national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, has begun its journey to the North Korea-China World Cup. South Korea will play the first match of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup against Palestine at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 5th. This game is also the debut of Hong Myung-bo, who returned to the national team for the first time in 10 years. Coach Hong previously revealed the list of 26 players, and convened on the 2nd to begin full-fledged tempering.
Coach Hong has recruited a large number of new faces ahead of this game. The most eye-catching player among them is Hwang Moon-ki. This is Hwang Moon-ki's first selection, who was born in 1996. Hwang Moon-ki, who was a midfielder, succeeded in transforming into a fullback and even joined the national team. It is evaluated as a resource that can solve the full-back problem, which is a weakness of Korean soccer. Coach Hong also said, `Kangwon's team is at the top, and his performance is very good. Hwang Moon-ki is the player who plays the most role in it. Hwang Moon-ki explained, "When I observed Gangwon's three games, the player whose overall condition and performance were consistent was Hwang Moon-ki."
In an interview released by the Korea Football Association before training on the 3rd, Hwang Mun-ki said, "It was my first time joining the national team. I always saw a midfielder while playing soccer. I was working hard as a rookie when I turned fullback last year. I was selected because the director liked it. I think I need to work harder. I did my first training yesterday and I was very nervous because I didn't know anyone. I think we need to get to know each other quickly. I think we can adapt quickly if we get close to each other." There are also strong supporters. He is a senior and junior at Hyundai High School. Hwang Mun-ki said, "Seung-hyun, a high school senior, and Dong-kyung, a junior, took care of me." He said, "I'm helping him adjust well because he seems to take good care of me when I say let's go together."I laughed.
Hwang never imagined that he would go to the national team as a fullback. He said "At the beginning of the season, the coach told me that I would be able to go to that position if I showed my shortcomings during winter training, but I couldn't believe it when it came to reality."
Coach Hong worked hard on this selection to the extent that he watched Hwang Moon-ki's game in person twice. Hwang Mun-ki found out after he came to see Kim Cheon-jeon"I think the team came to watch the game because it was ranked high." The soccer we play is a soccer that fans like, so I think the coach came to watch it. I don't think you came to see me. I don't care about that and how I play is important, so I think I did what the team wanted."
Hwang Moon-ki can go to the World Cup stage of his dream if he shows a good performance in this convocation. However, Hwang Mun-ki was only looking ahead, not far into the future. He is not thinking until the "World Cup". In a given environment, now is the most important. I'm thinking it's the last of every training sessionI think I'll be able to go to a good place if I see it"I'm determined.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
