Korean U-20 midfielder Lee Chan-wook reflects on advancing to quarterfinals at FIFA U-20 World Cup

[OSEN=정승우 기자] “The manager said that since the midfielders in the center were running out of stamina, we needed a player who could fight.”

The Korea Football Association reported on the 4th (Korean time) an interview with Lee Chan-wook (20, Bucheon), a defensive midfielder of the Korean under-20 (U-20) national team led by coach Kim Eun-joong (44).

The Korean U-20 team succeeded in advancing to the quarterfinals in two consecutive tournaments by winning 3-2 against Ecuador in the round of 16 match of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup at Santiago del Estro Stadium, Argentina on the 2nd.

Lee Chan-wook played as a starter in the group stage matches against France and Gambia and as a substitute against Ecuador.

When asked if he felt that he was advancing to the quarterfinals, Lee Chan-wook replied, “I felt it since I won the round of 16. As the quarterfinals approach, I feel more and more real.”

Lee Chan-wook said, “The part the coach asks for is defense. In the defensive part, I responded well to the coach’s request. The regrettable part is that I should have played more cleverly when I was holding the ball. I feel regretful.”

Regarding the substitution match against Ecuador, Lee Chan-wook said, “Before the substitution, the coach said that the central midfielders were in a situation where their stamina was exhausted, so they needed a player who could fight. I think I followed the coach’s request well,” he said, evaluating his game.

Lee Chan-wook said, “Since I’ve been here since training in Brazil, there are many players with good skills and great players. I’m learning a lot by training and playing together. I think I’ve grown a lot too.”

Meanwhile, Korea will face off against Nigeria, who advanced to the quarterfinals after beating Argentina at 2:30 a.m. on the 5th, to advance to the semifinals. Lee Chan-wook promised, “If I play against Nigeria, I will show my dedication to the team rather than stand out and I will play accordingly according to the direction the team can win.”

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[저작권자 @머니투데이, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]