After beating Kuwait 9-0 in the first round of the group stage at the 19th Asian Games, South Korea coach Hwang Sun-hong feared that his players would underestimate the next game against Thailand.
"We have six games left to win." Hwang said after the big win in Group E on September 19. "Faith is necessary, but forget about the victory over Kuwait."
The 55-year-old coach said major wins could become poison if not treated properly. He reminded the players to guard against arrogance and focus on each game. "We have to do our best to win the next game against Thailand." Huang Shanhong said.
In the opening match of the 19th Asian Games, South Korea defeated Kuwait 9-0.
At the end of the first match, South Korea temporarily led in Group E, with Bahrain drawing 1-1 with Thailand and finishing second. On September 21, South Korea will soon win a ticket to the knockout tournament if they beat Thailand.
The South Korean team has won gold medals in the last two Asian Games and is aiming for a third consecutive title. Winning the championship not only brings glory to the country, the Asian Games gold medal is also a way for South Korean male players between the ages of 18 and 35 to avoid military service. Military service lasts 18 to 22 months, affecting an athlete's already short career.
This reason allows the Korean team to often maintain a very strong strength when participating in the Asian Games, with quality over-age players. In 2014, South Korea recruited midfielder Park Joo-ho, who plays for Germany Mainz 05. In 2018, superstar Son Heung-min appeared in the squad for Indonesia.
At this year's 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, South Korea called on 26-year-old former Barça youth academy player Baek Seung-ho. Paris Saint-Germain star Lee Gang-jin will also be in attendance and is expected to compete in the knockout rounds alongside German club Stuttgart's midfielder Jung Youying and Belgium club Hong Hyun-seok from Ghent.
In the previous 18 Asian Games, South Korea is currently the most successful country in the men's competition, winning gold medals five times in 1970, 1978, 1986, 2014 and 2018. In addition, the team won silver medals three times in 1954, 1958 and 1962. He won bronze medals three times in 1990, 2002 and 2010.