[앵커]
The Olympic football team will soon compete in the second match of the Asia Cup group stage against China, who have qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris, and are looking to secure an early stage for the semi-finals.
The aim is to secure a multi-goal victory over China and advance to the quarter-finals as top of the ‘Group of Death.’
This is reporter Lee Moo-hyung.
[리포트]
The expression of our national team was bright before the match against China.
The players, who gained three points and confidence from the dramatic win against the United Arab Emirates, encouraged each other to boost the training atmosphere.
[“아이고 좋다. 목소리 내야 돼!”]
Before the match against China, coach Hwang Seon-hong said he would diversify his attacking tactics, which resulted in just one goal despite 43 crosses.
[황선홍/올림픽 축구대표팀 감독 : “저도 좀 놀랐습니다. 계속 크로스만 한 거 같은데… 하하. 다양성을 갖기 위해 노력할 겁니다. 저도 다 인지하고 있는 부분이기 때문에 선수들과 같이 고민해야 할 부분이 아닌가 생각하고 있습니다.”]
It is likely that our national team, which won its first victory, will advance to the quarter-finals with two wins if it defeats China.
However, a multi-goal win is needed to take first place in the group.
This is because host country Qatar, who have already secured first place in Group A, can be bypassed in the quarter-finals.
There are plenty of reasons to be confident.
In their most recent match against China, the quarter-finals of the Hangzhou Asian Games, they won 2-0, taking their all-time record to 12 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses.
However, we must be wary of China’s rough play reminiscent of Shaolin football, and we must also prepare for irregular tactics, such as the surprise introduction of 2 meter tall goalkeeper Jin-yong Yoo as a striker in the game against Japan.
[안재준/올림픽 축구 국가대표 : “상당히 거칠고 직선적인 축구를 좋아하는 팀이기 때문에 그런 부분에서 준비를 잘해야 될 거 같습니다.”]
Korea will play its third match against archrival Japan on the 22nd to decide whether to advance to the quarter-finals.
This is Moohyung Lee from KBS News.
Video Editing: Kwon Hyeok-rak/Graphics: Yeo Hyun-soo
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