Korea’s Under-20 Soccer Team Prepares to Face Ecuador in Round of 16

[앵커]

Korea, which drew with Gambia in the group stage of the Under-20 World Cup, now faces Ecuador in the round of 16.

With the discovery of a new spider hand named Moon Hyun-ho, we are full of confidence against Ecuador, whom we beat four years ago.

Reporter Junhee Lee reports.

[리포트]

As the round of 16 has already been confirmed, coach Kim Eun-joong worked hard to arrange physical strength by changing the starting list of 7 people as announced.

The national team took the lead with Kang Seong-jin’s surprise left-footed shot, but gradually gave the initiative to Gambia.

It was a great harvest to find 196 cm tall goalkeeper Moon Hyun-ho despite being pushed back by Gambia’s fierce attack.

Moon Hyeon-ho, who put on starting gloves in place of Kim Jun-hong, who missed due to accumulated warnings, showed off his presence by putting on a save show throughout the game.

It took a reverse action, but this scene where he overcame the danger of conceding with his long arm was the highlight, and the audience could not shut their mouths in surprise.

Thanks to Mun Hyun-ho, who kept the back door firmly, the national team finished the game cleanless and advanced to the round of 16 with 5 points and 2nd place in Group F.

[김은중/20세 이하 대표팀 감독 : “(16강전) 준비를 조금 더 철저히 해야 할 것 같고, 단판 승부이기 때문에 조심스럽지만, 결과를 낼 수 있도록 잘 준비하겠습니다.”]

The opponent in the round of 16 is Ecuador, who is second in Group B, and their offensive power is unusual enough to score 11 goals in the group stage.

However, the young Taegeuk warriors are recalling the pleasant memories of four years ago when their brothers beat Ecuador in the finals.

[황인택/20세 이하 축구 국가대표 : “자신감은 갖되 자만하지 않고 잘 준비해서 8강, 4강 계속 갈 수 있도록 노력하겠습니다.”]

The national team, which aims to recreate the legend of the runner-up in the Polish tournament four years ago, will play the fateful round of 16 against Ecuador on the 2nd of next month.

This is Lee Jun-hee from KBS News.

Video Editing: Kyungsang Park