“I’m a mediocre player but I can’t believe that I scored goals on a global stage like the World Cup.”
This is what forward Cho Gue-sung (Jeonbuk Hyundai) of the national soccer team said after becoming the first Korean to score multiple goals in a World Cup game.
In Korea’s second Group H game on Nov. 28 against Ghana of the Qatar World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, he scored in the 13th and 16th minute of the second half.
In the 13th minute with Ghana leading 2-0, Cho headed in a left-footed cross from midfielder Lee Kang-in for his first score and tied the game three minutes later with another header, this time from defender Kim Jin-su. Korea lost 3-2, however, after Ghana scored the winning goal in the 23rd minute of the second half.
With a scoreless draw in its first game on Nov. 24 against Uruguay, the Taegeuk Warriors have a draw and a loss for one point.
On his reaction after scoring two goals after the game, Cho said, “If you believe in yourself and chase your dream to the end, you can score on a big global stage like the World Cup,” adding, “I did my best to prove myself on the world stage today but I’m sorry for the result.”
Turning to the team’s final group game against Portugal on Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, (Dec. 3 at midnight in Korea), he said, “It’s not over yet. We players will prepare well.”
In Korea’s top-tier K-League 1 this season, Cho won the Golden Boot with 17 goals. His outstanding play and handsome appearance have attracted fans worldwide during this year’s World Cup, with the number of followers on his social media skyrocketing to 1.3 million after the Ghana game from just 20,000 right before the tournament.
Source: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism