Lee Chun-soo is rooting for Korea to win gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and has called on coach Hwang Sun-hong and Lee Kang-in (22-Paris Saint-Germain) to be more determined.
On his personal channel ‘Lee Chun-soo’ on Thursday, Lee said, “I feel frustrated when I think about the Asian Games. There was a lot of talk from the beginning. My older brother, Sun Hong-i, has been criticized a lot and I have some regrets,” he said.
He continued, “Lee Kang-in should go to the Asian Games no matter what. If you ask me to choose between the first year of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the Asian Games gold medal, I will choose the Asian Games gold medal.” “He should go to the Asian Games from the beginning. It doesn’t make sense to go from the quarterfinals.”
He also said, “I see my first year at PSG as an adaptation period. If I win the Asian Games gold medal, I can get a special exemption from military service and develop further in Europe. (Winning a gold medal) will increase the value of a strong player in the eyes of world soccer.”
“Even if he doesn’t play in the group stage, he should go and join the squad before the first leg of the group stage. Son Heung-min, Hwang Eui-jo and Cho Hyun-woo did that (at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang). It’s different for opposing players. You have to be there from the beginning,” he emphasized.
Lee competed at the 2002 Busan Asian Games and the 2006 Doha Asian Games. In addition to the Asian Games, he often faced Asian teams in other competitions.
Reflecting on his memories, he said, “Korea is the favorite in the Asian Games. They’ve won the last two editions,” he said, “but there’s a catch when you play a Middle Eastern team. There are some good players in the Middle East wildcard. If they score the first goal, they will be in trouble. In the last Asian Games, we had Son Heung-min, Hwang Eui-jo, and Cho Hyun-woo, but there was a hump.”
In conclusion, Lee said, “If we don’t win a gold medal at the Asian Games with Kang In-su playing, honestly, (Hwang) Sun-hong should quit as the coach of the 2024 Paris Olympics. I’m saying this out of sincere respect. I will go to the Games with the mindset, ‘If I don’t win gold at the Asian Games, I won’t go to the Olympics. I know how he feels,” he said encouragingly.온라인바카라
Lee added, “We all have to cheer now. The athletes have been chosen. If they don’t do well here, the coach will be responsible. The Asian Games only needs to bring results,” and wished the team a gold medal at the Asian Games.
Coach Hwang Sun-hong met with reporters at the National Training Center (NFC) in Paju on the 14th and said, “I am frustrated about whether Lee Kang-in will join the team. I am personally communicating with Lee Kang-in. He wants to join the team as soon as possible. However, there are difficulties in coordinating the timing with PSG.”
As the Asian Games are not organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), PSG is under no obligation to send Lee. “I want him to come at least for one or two group games,” Hwang said. PSG has a lot of conditions. I want him to join us before the tournament at the latest, but it’s frustrating. It’s difficult to make a plan.”
Depending on the timing of Lee’s arrival, Hwang’s stern face is likely to soften. Hwang will travel to Hangzhou, China, with a major goal of winning gold in three consecutive tournaments after winning gold at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games and gold at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games.