'MONG KYU, get out!' Upside-down cheering hanger → Yayu, unwelcome 'Hong Myung-bo 2nd generation 'Starting with regret
Sep 05, 2024
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On the 5th, Seoul World Cup Stadium held the first Group B match of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup between South Korea and Palestine. Fans' voices were heard on one side of the ground. Fans took out various placards when players entered the game. 'The Dark Ages of Korean Football', 'Pinokihong', 'I hate them', 'A player is first class, and the chairman is =?!' The hanger on my back was jammed. After the national anthem was played, the ground rang with the so-called "Jung Mong-gyu Naga" and "Anti Call".
Korean soccer had a clash in the first half of 2024. The Qatar Asian Cup, which ended in February, was the fuse. South Korea has aimed for the first time in 64 years since 1960. However, he ended his challenge in the semifinals. There was a big aftermath. On top of that, rumors of internal discord within the team broke out. A day before the semifinal match against Jordan, it was reported that Son Heung-min (Tottenham) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) physically clashed. Public sentiment was infested. In an instant, Lee Kang-in fell from 'national younger brother' to 'downward'. Lee Kang-in posted an apology twice on his personal SNS (social network service). He also went to London, England, and apologized directly to Son Heung-min.
The problem was not over here. Korean soccer broke up with manager Jurgen Klinsmann. There were twists and turns leading to the opening of the era of 'Post Klinsmann'. The negotiations did not go as desired. There was even a situation where the chairman of the Korea Football Association's electric power lecture committee resigned. In the end, the A-match in March and June had to be played under a temporary coach system.
After going through several trials and errors, Korean soccer reached out to coach Hong Myung-bo. Last July, Korean soccer marked a new beginning under Hong. But the problem is not completely solved yet. The National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee (Culture Committee) voted to adopt witnesses on the process of appointing the national soccer team coach. Five people, including Chung Mong-kyu, president of the Korea Football Association, and Lee Im-saeng, technical director, were selected as witnesses.
In a chaotic situation, the door to the 'Second Hong Myung-bo' opened. Coach Hong took the helm of the A national team for the first time in 10 years since 2014. Starting with the match against Palestine, he will embark on a full-fledged voyage.
In an official press conference held on the 4th, Hong said, `It's the first game. I think there will be many people's expectations. We matched the beginning. Of course, I'm hoping for a lot of points, and I'll prepare that way. But basically the focus is on winning. The most important thing is to win the first game."
epi17@sportschosun.com
