The two players, who wore the national flag in the 1990s and breathed with their bodies, now face off with their heads wrapped around each other.
The South Korean national soccer Olympic team, led by head coach Hwang Sun-hong, will face Indonesia, led by head coach Shin Tae-yong, in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-23 Asian Cup at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar, at 2:30 a.m. on the 26th (Korea time).
Is it a joke of fate? Hwang will meet with Indonesia-Nasa led by coach Shin Tae-yong in the quarterfinals. Ahead of the match, Shin said, “Personally, I really wanted to avoid Korea. That’s what I think. I thought it was enough to play with Japan.”
“I wanted to meet Coach Hwang Sun-hong in the final to avoid ‘Motherland’ Korea. However, I am able to advance to the quarterfinals like a joke of fate. A game is a game even though it is difficult. I will do my best to win the game.”
The two coaches were one year older than Hwang. However, given Shin’s outstanding performance in the K-League, he did not have long relationship with the national team. Shin played in 23 A-match games from 1992 to 1997. He failed to play in the 1994 FIFA U.S. World Cup, and the only major competition was the 1996 Asian Football Confederation UAE Asian Cup. At that time, Hwang and Shin were in the squad and shared the same team.
The two players who once represented Korea are now the leaders of the country. This is not the first time that the two coaches face off each other as coaches. In 2009, the two coaches led Hwang Sun-hong to the Busan I’Park, and Shin Tae-yong to the Seongnam Ilhwa. Including Hwang’s time as Pohang Steelers, they had 12 matches where Hwang was more dominant with four wins, five draws and two losses. 고소득알바
Ahead of the match, coach Hwang said, “I think Shin Tae-yong’s presence is a strength. Also, naturalized players are well placed in the right place. And talented players are on the offensive.”
“As I have been in charge of the team for a long time, I have strength in the organization. Now, I think it is important for the two teams to put their personal feelings behind them and have a good match. I will prepare and play to win unconditionally,” he added.