"Son Heung-min is scary," with respect turning into jokes like, "Did you come from North Korea?" — The storm before the battle in Hong Myung-bo's decisive ground [Guadalajara on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

The atmosphere at the World Cup venue in Guadalajara, Mexico, where Hong Myung-bo's team will play its Group Stage matches 1 and 2, remains calm, like the eye of a storm.

The South Korean national football team completed three weeks of high-altitude acclimatization training in Salt Lake City, USA, and arrived in Guadalajara via Miguel Hidalgo International Airport on the 5th (local time). Hong Myung-bo's squad has set an ambitious goal: reaching the quarterfinals in their first-ever away World Cup.

However, the atmosphere felt in the city where four World Cup matches will be held is more subdued than expected.

At Los Angeles International Airport, a transit hub en route to the decisive venue, the World Cup atmosphere was gradually building, with official merchandise priced between $18 and $25 being sold.

In contrast, upon arriving at Guadalajara Airport in Mexico, the only visible signs were banners featuring the Mexican national team players and official World Cup sponsor brands inside the terminal. Even while moving from the airport to the city center via Uber, it was difficult to find common promotional materials or decorations advertising the World Cup along the streets.

At the Guadalajara Stadium, where Group Stage matches will be held, major clashes among global powerhouses are also scheduled in addition to South Korea's first two games. On the 23rd at 8 p.m. local time, a match against Uruguay will take place, and on the 26th at 6 p.m., Spain's Group Stage match will be held at the same venue.

In a large shopping mall near the media hotel, local fans wearing jerseys of the Spanish national team, including key player Pedri (Barcelona), were occasionally spotted. Additionally, the official ball of this North, Central America and Caribbean Cup, Trionda, was displayed in the lobby of the media hotel where the press team is staying, creating a modest World Cup atmosphere.

While the streets remained quiet, the inner passion for football among locals met in the city and their interest in South Korea were intense. When local residents in Guadalajara learned that the reporters were from South Korea, they expressed great delight, asking, "Did you come to Mexico because of the World Cup?"

A local fan in his 30s immediately mentioned the name of captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) and still vividly recalled the positive memories from the 2018 Russia World Cup (the Miracle of Kazan), when South Korea defeated Germany 2-0 and dramatically advanced to the Round of 16, expressing friendly sentiments.

Some locals also shared Mexico's characteristic witty and teasing jokes. During conversations in the city, some Mexican residents jokingly asked in Spanish, "Sur o Norte?" (North Korea, where in South Korea are you from?), with laughter.

Even Mexican football fans who spoke directly with locals confidently stated, "Mexico will beat South Korea," yet unanimously added, "It won't be an easy match because of Son Heung-min, who eliminated Germany."

Amid this atmosphere where calmness and cheerfulness coexist, Hong Myung-bo's team is preparing steadily for their first match of the tournament without wavering. The squad had already gained momentum by securing two consecutive victories against Trinidad and Tobago (5-0 win) and El Salvador (1-0 win) during a pre-camp in Salt Lake City, USA, to adapt to Guadalajara's harsh high-altitude environment at 1,570 meters above sea level.

On the first day of arrival, the national team, having rested without separate training to alleviate travel fatigue, will begin their official schedule in Guadalajara on the 6th (local time) with FIFA-organized official event and community training (open training) inviting local fans.

Following this, Hong Myung-bo's team will face Czech Republic in a fateful Group Stage match 1 on June 12 at 11 a.m. (Korean time), and one week later on the 19th at 10 a.m., they will play the pivotal Group Stage match 2 against host nation Mexico, both in Guadalajara.

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*This content was translated by AI.