Kim Eun-joong will play the first match of the group stage against France.

The Republic of Korea U-20 national football team, led by coach Kim Eun-joong, played the first leg of Group F of the ‘2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup’ group stage against France at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina on May 23 (Korean time). pay

Korea is tied in Group F with France, Gambia and Honduras in this tournament. In this tournament with 24 countries participating, the top 4 teams from the 1st and 2nd places in each group and the 3rd place teams advance to the round of 16 tournament.

Korea, which achieved the highest ever runner-up in the 2019 tournament, qualified for the tournament by reaching the semifinals of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup held in March. The 2021 tournament was canceled in the aftermath of the coronavirus.

Initially, the tournament was scheduled to be held in Indonesia, but due to political problems with Israel, the finalist country, the venue was quickly changed to Argentina.

In addition, there is a feeling that the weight of the players in this competition has decreased somewhat compared to the past competitions. This is because the end of the European football season was delayed for about three weeks in the aftermath of the 2022 Qatar World Cup held in winter, and top-class prospects active in the first team of major European leagues were not selected.

France, who competed in the 2019 tournament, competed with players from famous big clubs such as Jean Claire Todibo (Barcelona, ​​then-team standard), Evan Ndika (Frankfurt), Dang Axel Jagado (Dortmund), and Moussa Diaby (Paris Saint-Germain). Amin Guiri (Olympique Lyonnais) and Evan Ndika (Frankfurt) have been accompanied by a large number of promising players who were active in the first team of the big leagues. 메이저사이트

On the other hand, France in this tournament had a lower power compared to the previous tournament. Most of the players are composed of players belonging to the second division of the French 2nd division or the French 1st division team. As such, the possibility of an abnormality increased.

In an interview with the Korea Football Association on the 22nd, coach Kim Eun-jung said, “Our players have prepared well and have played friendly matches with European teams, so even if the French team is strong, if the players are not nervous, we will play a good match.” compacted

Regarding France, he said, “The individual ability is very good and the physical is good. The individual tendency stands out rather than the organization.”

In addition, coach Kim Eun-joong emphasized, “How much can we play? If we can unleash our talents on the field without straining, we will play a good game.”