Hwang Sun-hong has returned home after leading the Korean men’s soccer team to an upset victory over Japan in the men’s soccer final at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.
The Asian Games soccer team, led by Hwang Sun-hong, returned to South Korea via Incheon International Airport on Monday afternoon. At 7 p.m., Hwang, captain Baek Seung-ho (Jeonbuk), “Ace” Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), and the rest of the team appeared at the arrivals hall with beaming smiles on their faces, waving as the 300 fans lined up to greet them with cheers and applause.
Hwang and his 22 players posed for photos with their gold medals around their necks and bouquets of flowers in hand. Chung Mong-kyu, president of the Korea Football Association, said, “I hope the players returning to their respective teams will perform well and we will see them again in the A team in the future. Congratulations to coach Hwang Sun-hong and his staff.”
Coach Hwang Sun-hong expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am happy and have good memories with a really great team of players and coaches.” He added, “With the support of the people, we were able to build a golden tower of three consecutive Asian Games.” “We will continue to work hard for the development of Korean soccer in the future. I would also like to give a lot of praise and encouragement to the players.”
Hwang, who had been criticized for his poor scoring and performance before the Asian Games, said, “It’s a little strange to be welcomed after being criticized every day, but I don’t think it’s bad,” and vowed to do his best to continue to be welcomed.메이저사이트
Now, as Hwang tightens his laces again in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, he can’t wait to take Lee Kang-in with him. “I told (Lee) that he hasn’t gotten his dojo, but he should join us,” Hwang said, “but it seems to be a ‘question mark’. It’s a secret,” he laughed.
Hwang urged the support of the Korea Football Association, the KFA, and the clubs. “Japan and Uzbekistan prepare for the tournament for nearly three years. We have only a few call-ups, and even those are uncertain,” he said, adding, “We need support so that we can prepare hard.”
“We need to have the opportunity to train for even two or three weeks during the A-match period, and even during the winter training period, to be competitive,” said Hwang, who emphasized that “if this does not happen, it can be very difficult.”