Nagoya: In South Korea's emphatic 4-1 triumph over Qatar during their opening men's football match at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, midfielder Yang Hyun-jun emerged as a key offensive force. The dynamic Celtic winger continuously challenged the Qatari defense with his speed and precision passing, notably assisting Kim Myeong-jun's goal that extended South Korea's lead to 4-0.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yang expressed a desire to enhance his performance for the national team despite the victory. "Honestly, I was not happy with the way I played," Yang admitted ahead of a training session at Handa Sports Park, located approximately 30 kilometers from Nagoya. "I missed too many chances and made more mistakes than I wanted. I have to focus better."
Yang emphasized the importance of his role on the wings, aiming to stretch the opposing defense and support his teammates more effectively. "I have to do my part to make life easy for the rest of the team. I will try to reduce mistakes and go the extra mile for the team," he added.
At 24, Yang is one of the three over-age players in the under-23 competition and was part of South Korea's squad at this year's FIFA World Cup. The Taegeuk Warriors' early exit from the tournament was a disappointment that Yang hopes to amend by securing a gold medal at the Asian Games.
Reflecting on the World Cup, Yang expressed his determination: "I was really disappointed with the results at the World Cup. I really want to win the gold medal here at the Asian Games and bring joy to our fans."
South Korea's men's football team has a strong track record in the Asian Games, having won gold in the previous three tournaments, starting from Incheon in 2014. "We are all pursuing the common goal of winning the gold medal," Yang stated. He praised the potential of the U-23 team under head coach Lee Min-sung, believing the young players could leverage this experience to advance to the senior national team.