“Korea should always think of itself as a strong team.”
The 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup is being held in Argentina. Korea, led by coach Kim Eun-joong, also participates in the tournament. Korea was in Group F along with France (3:00 a.m. on the 23rd, Korean time), Honduras (6:00 a.m. on the 26th), and Gambia (6:00 a.m. on the 29th).
Four years ago, at the tournament held in Poland, Korea achieved the feat of becoming runner-up for the first time in history. Korea, which reached the final of a FIFA-sponsored tournament for the first time in Korean men’s football, lost 1-3 to Ukraine and received a lot of applause even though it failed to lift the trophy. Lee Kang-in (Mallorca), Lee Jae-ik (Seoul E-Land), and Cho Young-wook (Kim Chun Sang-mu) formed an axis and succeeded in showing the spiciness of Korean soccer.
Lee Jae-Ik, who cannot forget the memory of this time, says that he said something to Hwang In-taek, the only member of the team to participate in the U-20 World Cup. Four years ago, Lee Jae-Ik was a key defender of the national team and kept the back.
Hwang In-taek, from Suwon Samsung U-18 Mettango, joined Seoul E this season on loan. A player whose strengths are one-on-one defense and fighting spirit. Although he is not yet a fan-known player, he is catching the attention of the football world as a player with a lot of potential.
Lee Jae-ik, who met after the Bucheon FC 1995 match held at Mok-dong Sports Complex on the 20th, said, “I talked with Intaek in advance. He asked a lot. Perhaps the first match will be very tense. Also, since it is France, I think it will be even more burdensome. In the end, I think it will make a difference depending on how he has his mindset.”
He continued, “At that time, (Lee) Kangin was really bold. He was helpful to us. Kangin always kept saying ‘we have to win’ and ‘we have to go to the finals’ out of his mouth. In order for everything to become a reality, we must first think that Korea is a strong team. I hope to come back with a stronger mentality.”
Lee Jae-ik, who is taking the elite course step by step, has recently participated in the Hangzhou Asian Games representative convocation training and has been in sync with the players.
He said, “It was a short time, but I matched a lot of defensive tactics, and coach (Hwang Seon-hong) emphasized the importance of bonding.” On the one hand, he also feels a sense of competition. Now, all that remains is to do well on the pitch.”스포츠토토
On the other hand, Lee Jae-ik, who was replaced at the end of the first half due to an injury in the game against Bucheon, said, “I don’t think his condition is severe. However, it seems that recovery time is needed.”