Seoul: With his team gearing up for multiple weeks of training before their first match at this year's FIFA World Cup, South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo said Saturday he will try to empower his players and help them take ownership of their performances. Hong revealed such plans for South Korea's training camp as he unveiled his 26-man squad for the World Cup.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea will play all three Group A matches in Mexico, one of three co-host countries alongside Canada and the United States. Two of these matches will be held in the high altitude of Guadalajara, prompting the Korea Football Association (KFA) to choose Salt Lake City, Utah, another high-altitude city, for their pre-World Cup camp. Hong and his staff will take six players from the domestic K League to Salt Lake City on Monday, while the rest of the team, mostly from Europe, will join the squad the following week. South Korea is set to play Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador during their camp.
An opportunity to train as a full team for weeks is a rare luxury not afforded to national teams before friendly matches. Hong acknowledged that while this time is beneficial, it could also present challenges for new players. "We're lucky to have so much time to prepare for our matches, but on the other hand, some of our new players may experience some difficulties," Hong said. He emphasized the importance of player input in team management, stating, "If we let these players make their own decisions and hold themselves accountable...we will have a team that runs proactively."
South Korea will face Mexico, Czechia, and South Africa in what is seen as a competitive group. With the tournament expanding from 32 to 48 nations, the knockout phase will begin with a round of 32. Hong's primary goal is to reach the round of 32, noting that "anything can happen" from there. "We want to be in our best possible position entering the round of 32," Hong stated.
Hong's 26-man squad includes 13 players heading to their first World Cup, with Gangwon FC defender Lee Gi-hyuk being a notable inclusion. Despite having just one cap, Lee impressed with his performance in the K League 1. "We considered versatility to be important, and Lee Gi-hyuk can play as center back, midfielder, and even left fullback," Hong explained.
In the absence of viable options for the defensive midfielder role, Lee may be asked to fill in, as Hwang In-beom of Feyenoord Rotterdam is still recovering from an ankle injury. Hong expressed optimism about Hwang's recovery, saying, "His conditioning is fine...he will have a chance to regain his match fitness in our two matches in the U.S."
Hong's decision-making process involved careful consideration, especially in defense and midfield. However, selecting longtime captain Son Heung-min for his fourth World Cup was straightforward. Although Son has been limited in goals this season, Hong is unconcerned. "I watched him play in LA...his positioning there is a little different from what he's accustomed to playing for the national team," Hong noted, suggesting discussions on Son's best position for the team.