"I hope we can't do it, and I'm rooting for you." Taegeuk Warrior in Boos, Kim Min-jae, full of questions and answers
Sep 06, 2024
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Hong Myung-bo-ho center back Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) explained the gesture of asking fans to refrain from booing after the match against Palestine.
South Korea's A national team, led by new coach Hong Myung-bo, drew 0-0 in Palestine, ranked 96th in FIFA, in the first Group B match of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 5th. The players, who were ahead in performance throughout the 90 minutes, were heavy, and their usual flexible passwork did not come out in the worst grass conditions. The fans' protest placards, the chaotic atmosphere pouring out booing, became increasingly urgent and missed a series of decisive goal chances. The appearance of contraction was evident.
Coach Hong Myung-bo's return match, which took the helm of the national team for the first time in 10 years and three months since the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, was a nightmare. After the Korea Football Association unilaterally announced the appointment of the coach in July in defiance of the discussion process of the Korea Power Enhancement Committee, fans are even looking at Hong for accepting the association's request. More than 60,000 spectators booed whenever Hong's face was reflected on the electronic display during the game. Fans say it's not booing the players, but the players can't be affected by the booing at home either. With absolute support, he became the 12th warrior and the original team united with fans and eventually missed everything in a home game where he must win three points.
After the game, Kim Min-jae approached the stands and made a gesture to the fans as if asking for restraint with a firm expression. There was also a scene where it seemed to argue with fans. In the mixed zone interview, Kim Min-jae said "I think everyone is taking it seriously, but I told you "I just want you to support the players" In fact, we didn't fail to start. There are also people who distort (my meaning) and come to my SNS and say that, and we didn't fail to start (the game)," he said.
Kim Min-jae said "I wanted to say so because I was a little disappointed in the parts that I hoped I couldn't do well and cheered for." That's why I said that, and it wasn't a serious atmosphere at all." "I hope you don't take it seriously, but it's just up to you, so for those who take it like that, you can do that."," he added. Asked if the booing affected his performance, Kim Min-jae said, `I don't want to make an excuse with that. It's not what the players think, it's just that I said it because I'm a little disappointed personally."
Captain Son Heung-min did not shy away from questions about the booing from fans. Son Heung-min said "I'm upset. I can't speak for the fans. I think there must have been a director that the fans wanted. The players also do their best to wear the coach's clothes because the coach has already been decided. You can't change the outcome. I'm shameless, but if I think of the team as a captain, I'd like to ask for a lot of support and love." Regarding Kim Min-jae's behavior, he also delivered a message to his fans, saying, `Such a case should never come out again.' "The relationship between the fans and the players has to be good, and the fans also come to support the players because they want the team to win in this stadium. If you give a lot of good stories and encouragement to the players, they will be able to play as the driving force. I don't think we should make enemies when we play at home. I want you to think about how you can be of greater help in breaking down the opponent." Lee Kang-in is also very sorry and very disappointed as a player representing Korea. It's very unfortunate that he started with boos, not cheers, in his first game with the coach." "I believe that the coach will make us play good soccer to beat us."(The fans) will be disappointed and angry, but I hope they will show more support and interest," he said.
-a general review of the game.
▶I should have brought the results from home, but I'm sorry I couldn't. I will prepare well to win the next game.
-It was his first time with Hong Myung-bo.
▶I don't think the preparation went well for this game. That's why I don't think I brought the result.
-What did you talk to the fans after the game.
▶Everyone seems to be taking it seriously. I told him that I would like him to support the players. In fact, we weren't bad from the start. There are people who distort and come to my SNS (social network service) and say that again. We didn't fail from the start. But I said that because I'm a little disappointed that you're supporting us, hoping we can't do it. I didn't mean it aggressively at all. I did it because I wanted to go and tell you a little bit. It wasn't a serious atmosphere at all. I hope you don't take it seriously, but it depends on your thinking, so if you're going to take it like that, you can take it like that.
-How was the grass.
▶The grass was a little bad, but that's part of the game. I don't want to make excuses with that.
-Did the booing during the game affect the performance.
▶I don't want to make excuses for that. It's not what the players think, but I just said that because I'm a little disappointed.
-A resolution for the battle of Oman.
▶ Fans came and cheered in a bad atmosphere. I appreciate the players as well. Those who would feel bad about visiting their fans may think so, but they had no intention of doing so at all. I didn't do anything aggressive. Bad performance, I'm sorry that the players should have done well. I'll do my best in the next game and win.
-The booing was directed at the coach and the Korea Football Association, not the players.
▶In fact, I was saying it because I felt sorry about it because we listened to it before we started.
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