The South Korean Asian Games national soccer team, led by head coach Hwang Sun-hong, returned home through Incheon International Airport around 6 p.m. on the 8th.

On the previous day (7th), Hwang Sun-hong played the final match of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games against Japan at Huanglong Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China, and won 2-1 thanks to goals from Jung Woo-young and Cho Young-wook. won a gold medal.

It is Hwang Sun-hong who wrote a new history. It succeeded in achieving three consecutive gold medals by inheriting South Korea’s second consecutive gold medal at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games and the 2018 Jakarta Palembang Asian Games. 파친코

No team has won the Asian Games three times in a row so far. Earlier, Taiwan (1954-1958), Myanmar (1966-1970), and Iran (1998-2002) won their second consecutive Asian Games football tournament, but failed to win their third consecutive championship.

It was not an easy match between Korea and Japan. He lost the first goal early in the day. Sato scored a low cross from the left side in the second minute of the first half. Shigemi, who was handed this, passed directly to Uchino, and Uchino shook the Korean net with a right-footed shot at the gate.

Korea succeeded in turning the tables. In the 27th minute of the first half, Jung Woo-young (Stuttgart) scored an equalizer by connecting Hwang Jae-won (Daegu FC)’s cross with a strong header. And in the 11th minute of the second half, Cho Young-wook (FC Seoul) calmly beat one defense in the box and cut the net. The game ends as it is. It ended with the Korean championship.

Following the last tournament, Korea once again beat Japan in the final and succeeded in reaching the top.

In a return interview, head coach Hwang Sun-hong said, “I can’t adapt well (to the welcoming atmosphere),” and added, “It’s unfamiliar to be welcomed after being criticized every day.” It’s not that bad. I will do my best to be welcomed a lot,” he said with a smile.

He then said, “I expected it to be very difficult. Our players did their best. The players, coaches, and staff were all united, so what they prepared came out of the competition. Also, thanks to the support from Korea, I was able to cheer up. I’m so grateful,” he said.

Korea has scored 27 goals in seven games. Coach Hwang Sun-hong explained that it was a possible record because all the players worked together. “I don’t want to use one person to play soccer. I think soccer with harmony is good soccer. Of course, the second-line striker played a big role, and that also led to good results,” he explained.

The match against Uzbekistan in the semifinals was a crisis. Coach Hwang Sun-hong said, “We led all the games until the quarterfinals, including the preliminary round, but the match against Uzbekistan flowed in a different way. Because the opponent’s style was so straight and powerful, we stopped him in the fight. So it was a bit difficult,” he said. He added, “After overcoming that crisis, I have confidence in winning.”

He also looked back on his first goal in the second minute of the final against Japan. Coach Hwang Sun-hong said honestly, “I was flustered,” and added, “But psychologically, if our player is not shaken, I thought we would have a chance.” Fortunately, Baek Seung-ho, Park Jin-seop, and these players took the center stage in the stadium, so we were able to continue our play quickly. So I was able to turn the tables. Not only these two players, but all players worked hard,” he said.

Regarding Jung Woo-young’s eight goals and becoming the top scorer of the tournament, he said, “Honestly, I didn’t know if (Jung) Woo-young would score eight goals. I knew for the first time that there was such an amazing goal-making ability. I hope he will continue to show that kind of appearance in the future.