Hwang Sun-hong, Olympic Team Coach Who Left For Turkiye Field Training
Hwang Sun-hong, head coach of the Olympic team, said he will carry out off-season training in Turkiye with a sense of responsibility for the national flag.
The Olympic team U-23, led by head coach Hwang Sun-hong, will hold off-season training in Antalya, Turkiye, from the 14th to February 3rd. Hwang Sun-hong, who left Incheon International Airport on the 13th, will also play five practice matches with the European club team during the training period.
The off-season training will take place in preparation for the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup and the final Asian qualifying round for the 2024 Paris Olympics to be held in Qatar in April. South Korea is in Group B along with Japan, the United Arab Emirates and China.
The top three players at the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup will advance to the finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the fourth-place finisher will be determined through an intercontinental playoff with an African team. Hwang is committed to successfully harden his bid for the U-23 Asian Cup and the Paris Olympics through off-season training in Turkiye.
Attention is focusing on the joining of some players who joined the team at the last Hangzhou Asian Games. Among the players who participated in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, Kim Jung-hoon Jeonbuk Hyundai, Ko Young-joon Pohang Steelers, Ahn Jae-joon Bucheon FC and Hwang Jae-won Daegu FC were called by Hwang Sun-hong.
“Players who participated in the Asian Games have already received military service benefits, but that does not mean that those players will be less motivated,” Hwang said at a press conference with reporters at Incheon International Airport. “I don’t think there is only one reason to wear the national flag. I will communicate well with all the players and train with responsibility.”
The following are questions and answers with director Hwang Sun-hong.
Q. How do you feel about training in Turkiye.
I am grateful to the coaches of the K-League for their cooperation in convening the call-up even in difficult situations. There is not much time because there is a final qualifying round in April. As such, this off-season training is important and we will work hard to improve our competitiveness. The first goal is to have a structure in defense or attack. The opponents we will meet in April are not easy teams. I will lay the foundation for good results in April.
Q. How much difference will there be in this convocation list when participating in the final qualifying round for the Olympics.
I don’t think there will be any major changes at the moment. There is a problem of recruiting players from overseas. Players who are participating in this convocation are likely to go to the final qualifying round. There is no confirmed joining of players playing abroad yet.
Q. Motivation may be weak for players who have already received military service benefits at the Asian Games, such as Ko Young-joon and Hwang Jae-won.
He is also communicating with those athletes. Being a national team member does not mean you can wear the national flag on your chest just for one reason. Whenever you have the opportunity, you should always play with the mindset of representing your country. The Olympics is a competition where motivation can be fully established. I think the athletes will act accordingly.
Q: They were in a group with Japan. I remember getting a shot in the Asian Games finals.
In addition to the preliminary round, you can meet in the finals at any time. In addition to Japan, you can meet any team such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, so you are always watching closely. As preemptive pressure is important, you should prepare well in the preliminary round and bring good results. About 80% of the analysis of the teams in one group was completed. Japan is always watching, and the United Arab Emirates has some grasp on it. However, there is a little difficulty in analyzing it because China did not carry out a lot of convocation training.
Q. They also play against European club teams there.
We will play practice matches with some teams from various countries. We also promoted practice matches with overseas teams, but the situation was not easy. Developing tolerance by meeting with various teams is one way. The opponents of the practice match are not easy and tricky. I believe you will be a good training partner.
Q. I have many good memories in Turkiye.
There are still many young players. It is important for us to experience soccer styles of various countries beyond the K-League. It aims to cooperate well with players and finish training in a good atmosphere.
Q. Some players such as Lee Seung-won Gangwon FC, Park Ho-min Bucheon FC, and Hwang In-taek Estoril Praia were newly selected, and the background of the selection was.
“I communicated with Kim Eun-jung Suwon FC, a former coach of the U-20 national team, and I have always been paying close attention to these resources as well. The team has certainly displayed good performances at the U-20 national team. For this reason, I am continuing to look at other resources that played in the last U-20 World Cup. Even if they were not selected this time, I hope that they will continue to remain vigilant and challenge the national Olympic team again.”
Q. How much did you know about the weather and the environment when the competition will be held in Qatar in April.
It will be quite hot during the day. There are some local games at 4 o’clock. We will keep an eye on the local environment.
Q. Previously, the journey to the Olympics had not been easy. I remember head coach Kim Hak-beom unraveling the journey to some extent.
I watched all the matches under coach Kim Hak-bum at the time. Most of the matches involved a one-goal race, but given that the matches were difficult, chances are high that the matches will also be held with one goal match against countries in the group this time. Through off-season training in Turkiye, Korea, Korea aims to gain solidity to overcome such difficulties. 토토사이트
Q. I think the victory against France in November last year would have given me confidence.
I told the players to prepare with confidence. Confidence is very important in soccer. There are many strong teams, but we are also competitive. You need to have confidence to win and over your opponent at any time to lead to good results.