[앵커]
The aftertaste still doesn’t go away. The Korean national football team defeated Portugal and advanced to the World Cup round of 16 for the first time in 12 years. It was like a story in a movie where even the number of goals were gathered in the second half of extra time.
Tomorrow morning, this time, we will fight for a ticket to the quarter-finals against the strongest Brazil in the world. We will contact reporter Park Ki-mook in Qatar to hear more about whether we can launch another miracle.
Reporter Park Ki-mook.
[기자]
Yes. It will be shown at the Al Rayyan Main Media Center in Qatar.
[앵커]
It was a truly thrilling come-from-behind victory for Portugal. You must have been on site at the time, what was the atmosphere like?
[기자]
Yes. Not only me, but all the Korean fans who watched the game with their eyes open at dawn must have felt the same way.
The stadium was literally a crucible of frenzy. Visit the Education City Stadium amid cheers from the players
This is the venue for a festival celebrating progressing to the round of 16 with the support of Korean fans.
On the 3rd, in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, the Red Devils and citizens cheer the moment the national team’s progress to the round of 16 was confirmed. Reporter Park Jong-min
[앵커]
Expectations were high that the game would be difficult due to early conceding, but is there any force behind the players to overcome them?
[기자]
Yes. Korea scored the first goal in the 5th minute. If you made a mistake, you could be dragged around for the rest of the time. However, after the opening goal, the players showed more concentration.
In the 27th minute of the first half, when Kim Young-gwon scored an equaliser, the atmosphere turned to Korea.
Ventuho, who regained his momentum, continued to hit the Portuguese goal, and Hwang Hee-chan, who came on as a substitute in the second half,
Son Heung-min’s pass was missed and the come-from-behind goal was pushed.
Let’s listen to the story of Hwang Hee-chan, who scored a goal.
“Ever since I came in as a substitute, my teammates told me, ‘Heechan, you’ve got to do it. I’m so happy”
[앵커]
I heard they won the game, but it wasn’t confirmed that they would progress to the round of 16. You said it literally went up by count, is that correct?
[기자]
Yes. On this day, Group H hosted two matches at the same time. Uruguay and Ghana also clashed over the round of 16. Portugal had already secured their place in the round of 16 with two wins.
Before the game, the number of instances in which Korea progressed to the round of 16 was a win against Portugal, an undisputed loss to Ghana, and a goal difference against Uruguay. Uruguay scored 2 goals against Ghana and it looked like they would have 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss like us. The goal difference was the same.
In the end, Korea scored a total of 4 goals, 2 goals ahead of Uruguay, and took the ticket to the final round of 16.
[앵커]
It’s a very cinematic story. I heard that Ronaldo, a player we love and hate for our fans, has given us great joy this time? What does this mean?
[기자]
You may remember the no-show event where Ronaldo visited Korea with Juventus three years ago and did not show up at the stadium. After that, Ronaldo’s hate hair stuck in Korean fans. On this day, you helped our country enough to applaud.
Not only did he miss a crucial header chance, but he also helped Kim Young-kwon to unexpectedly equalise.
In the first half, Lee Kang-in’s corner kick hit Ronaldo’s body and fell in front of Kim Young-kwon, who pushed Kim Young-kwon.
When he was substituted in the second half, Ronaldo fought a war of nerves, speaking sternly in Portuguese to Cho Kyu-seong, who told him to leave the ground quickly.
On the morning of the 3rd (Korea time), the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H Group H match was held at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, the match between Korea and Portugal. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who was being substituted, argues with Cho Kyu-sung of the national team. random news
Let’s listen to the wonderful evaluation of Kyu-Sung Cho, who was ahead of Ronaldo in terms of performance.
“Ah Ronaldo is now flying.”
Ronaldo left the Mixed Zone without saying anything to questions from Korean reporters.
[앵커]
Now we move on to the tournament. Of course, the opponent in the round of 16 is the strongest Brazil in the world. How is Brazil’s electricity?
[기자]
Yes. Everyone knows the history of Brazil well even if I don’t tell you. 1 in the FIFA rankings, Brazil’s Samba Corps have reached the finals without losing a single out of 22 World Cups to date, and are a world-class team that has won five championships, the most in their career.
The opponent’s record is 1 win and 6 losses, which is completely inferior to Korea. A 1-0 win is the only one in Korea in 1999. In over 20 years we haven’t beaten Brazil.
[앵커]
Still, wouldn’t it be useful to experience Brazil once this June? How do you evaluate when you faced each other half a year ago and now?
[기자]
Yes. Bentuho invited Brazil to play an evaluation game before this World Cup. I lost 1-5 in a match held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Against Brazil, who spared no power, they tried the same attacking tactic and experienced a bitter defeat.
However, this matchup is evaluated to have become nutrition for the round of 16. While focusing on defense, I also gained confidence that I could try once using the experience at that time.
[앵커]
Will we face off again with Neymar and his Son Heung-min, who have even been called older brothers by us?
[기자]
Yes. Brazil literally became a casualty ward during the group stage. Telles and Jejus cannot play against Korea. There are even players with cold symptoms.
Neymar, who missed the 2nd and 3rd games due to an ankle injury in the 1st game of the group stage, has not confirmed whether he should participate or not. In the pre-match press conference, Brazil coach Chichi said he would make decisions based on the final coaching situation.
[앵커]
Look at the condition and decide… There is a possibility that it will come out. So, did the real Neymar come to training?
[기자]
Yes. Neymar appeared in one last open training session the day before the game.
At first, Neymar did not appear, so the 200 reporters who visited the scene speculated that he could not play tomorrow.
Neymar, who appeared last, completed training without a problem. Even with his injured right foot, he was good at passing and trapping. Judging from the training situation, it seemed that there was no problem with the game.
[앵커]
Then, our Taegeuk Warriors, what is your mindset before the final battle?
Heung-Min Son and Hee-Chan Hwang of the national football team before the Qatar 2022 World Cup Round of 16 against Brazil train at the Al Egla Training Center in Doha, Qatar on the morning of the 4th (Korea time). random news
[기자]
Yes. Our country also spent the last training in a calm atmosphere. Put your feelings down that time
I am determined to focus on the match against Brazil. It’s a bit long, but let’s listen to the story of left-back Kim Jin-soo, who gave up two World Cups due to injury and is making a big success in his first World Cup.
“We played the football we wanted to and played 3 group stage games, and we show that we came back with results from there, and we feel so too, so the round of 16 will be a tough game of course, but we’ll show everything we’ve got and pour everything into the stadium.”
[앵커]
Kim Min-jae missed the last game. How do you see it this time?
[기자]
Yes. Kim Min-jae, who suffered a calf injury in the match against Uruguay, played as a first player against Ghana, but could not play against Portugal.
As for whether we want to participate in the game or not, it seems that we will have to see the situation until the morning of the game day, just like last time. The fortunate thing is that Kim Min-jae said that his physical condition has improved a lot. This is Kim Min-jae.
“I went to the round of 16, but I think I’ll have to prepare well, and I’ll have to wait and see.
[앵커]
Last time, they said that if they win against Portugal, their trip to Korea will be extended, but it has actually been extended. Is there any possibility this time?
[기자]
Like many cases, we talked about extending the business trip of Korean reporters, and we are very happy that it was actually extended.
Most of the existing flight tickets were canceled and the flight was booked after the round of 16, and accommodation was added for a few more days. It’s demanding, but I’m looking forward to seeing the 8th by extending it once more.
So far, it has been delivered from Alayan, Qatar.
