Four years ago at the Qatar World Cup, Korea produced one of the most dramatic scenes in World Cup history. In the Portugal match, the final group-stage game, Korea scored a goal to make it 2-1 in second-half stoppage time.
At the center of it was Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton). Hwang connected a pass delivered by Son Heung-min (LAFC), who had charged into the opponent's half on a storming run, into a clean right-footed shot to score. The goal sent Korea through to the round of 16 for the second time in an away World Cup.
Four years on, Hwang now faces another World Cup. Meeting reporters Monday at the Chivas Valle Verde training ground in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, he said, "It would be great if scenes like the one where (Son) Heung-min and I showed good chemistry come out every match." He added, "That would be good for me, for the team, and for the country." He said, "To create such scenes, I'm communicating and preparing a lot with Heung-min."
For Hwang, who is competing in his third World Cup after the 2018 Russia tournament and the 2022 Qatar tournament, this competition is special. That is because his close friends born in 1996, including Kim Min-jae (Munich) and Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), are entering the tournament in their prime.
"We've been close since we were very young, and we communicate about everything," Hwang said. But he added, "It's not just a World Cup for the three of us. It's a special World Cup for the whole team and for everyone."
Hwang also mentioned the importance of the first match. Hong Myung-bo's side will play the Czech Republic in their North America World Cup Group A opener at 11 a.m. on June 12 at Guadalajara Stadium.
"At the Qatar World Cup, we played the first match well (a 0-0 draw with Uruguay), and the following matches were good too," he said. "I'll create plenty of good performances in the first match." He also expressed confidence, saying, "I have no aches, and my condition is good."
The tournament is also important for Hwang personally. With his club Wolverhampton relegated to England's second division, he may have to find a new club, so he must deliver individual results.
On this, he said, "I don't think that I have to do well with the national team in order to transfer to a club." He added, "With the national team, I play without thinking about myself. I want to help the team as much as possible."
As on the previous day, the national team revealed only the first 15 minutes or so of training before conducting the session behind closed doors.
All players took part in training except Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), who injured his ankle after suffering a deep tackle in the friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.
