◀ Anchor ▶
In just a few moments, our national soccer team will face Israel in the third place match at the U-20 World Cup.
The team will be out in full force, looking to claim their first ever third place finish in a FIFA-organized tournament.
Kim Tae-woon is reporting from Argentina.토토사이트
◀ Report ▶
The national team trains for the final time before the third-place match against Israel.
In the chilly weather, where the temperature dropped by 10 degrees overnight, the team focused on perfecting their unique counterattacking tactics.
[Lee Chang-hyun/U-20 coach]
“We need this passing speed for tomorrow’s game. If you catch it and think about it, it’s too late. Okay?”
At the end of the intense training session, which lasted for over an hour, the team took a photo together and strengthened their resolve for the third-place match.
[Lee Seung-won/U-20 national soccer team captain].
“It’s our last game, so let’s play without any regrets and shed some tears of joy, okay?”
Their 3-4 match opponents, Israel, are the biggest upset of the tournament.
They reached the knockout stage for the first time in their history and knocked out favorites Brazil in the quarterfinals in an overtime thriller.
Their late-game explosiveness is particularly noteworthy.
All eight of our goals in the tournament came in the second half and overtime.
Our players were wary of Israel’s strong back line, but showed confidence in their victory.
[Bae Jun-ho/U-20 National Team]
“There’s a big difference between third and fourth place, so I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be too bad if we came this far and finished fourth, shouldn’t we take home a medal or something?”
Head coach Kim Eun-joong also vowed to go all out to achieve the first ever third-place finish at a FIFA-organized tournament.
The 18-month campaign is now just one day away.
The players who are trying to make history are dreaming of the most beautiful ending.
I’m Kim Tae-woon from MBC News in La Plata.