'Catalyst of Qatar' Hwang Hee-chan: "No pain, 100% condition... Glory of third World Cup" [Guadalajara Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Catalyst of Qatar' Hwang Hee-chan (30, Wolverhampton Wanderers) showed strong confidence ahead of his third World Cup.

The South Korean national football team carried out the fourth day of its schedule on the 7th (local time) at the Chivas Valle Verde base camp training ground in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Under coach Hong Myung-bo, the team rested on the first day of arrival in Guadalajara, followed by a community training session on the second day, which was hosted by the Mexican Football Federation (FIFA) and invited local fans in Mexico. Subsequently, the training on the third and fourth days was opened to the media for only the first 15 minutes, as in previous A-match periods, before switching to closed sessions to focus on refining tactics.

Before the training, Hwang Hee-chan met with reporters and said, "It is an honor to stand on the glorious stage of the third World Cup. I have no pain and my physical condition is 100%. I will set aside myself in every training session and every match to contribute to the team and create good results."

This World Cup stage is Hwang Hee-chan's third in his career. Having gained experience by playing three matches at the 2018 Russia World Cup, Hwang Hee-chan, despite not being in full physical condition due to a hamstring injury at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, scored a dramatic winning goal against Portugal in the final group stage match, leading to a 2-1 victory. Hwang Hee-chan, who became a hero in leading South Korea to its second-ever away round of 16 appearance, also demonstrated sharp attacking prowess in the subsequent match against Brazil, proving his strength in big games.

Hwang Hee-chan's determination to participate in this North American World Cup is more extraordinary than ever. Hwang Hee-chan experienced the pain of his club team being relegated to the bottom of the table in the previous 2025-2026 English Premier League (EPL) season. He is resolved to completely shed the regrets and bitterness from his club team on this World Cup stage.

Hwang Hee-chan emphasized, "We will generate the best synergy as a team and show a good performance from the first match of the World Cup."

- What is your determination for this tournament.

"It is an honor to be able to step onto the third World Cup stage. I will focus entirely on helping the team in every training session and every match. I will do my best to achieve good results at the World Cup."

- Memories of the Qatar World Cup are still vivid.

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"If such a dramatic scene happens again, it would be a very good situation for the team and the entire country. I hope such decisive moments occur in every match. To that end, I am communicating extensively with my teammates. I will refine our tactics well to show good performances in every match."

- You are facing Raul Jimenez (Mexico), a former Wolverhampton teammate.

"I met Raul even in our last match at the club, and we already exchanged words. We are very close friends. Like the combination of Son Heung-min and Harry Kane in the past, I prepared many things with Jimenez at Wolverhampton and even scored a goal from his assist. I will be truly happy to meet him on the field. Playing alongside a world-class player was a good memory, and now it is an honor to face him on the big stage of the World Cup."

- You will also face Radostin Krezich (Czech Republic), a defender from Wolverhampton.

"He is one of my closest players. At the club, we always eat together and talk a lot. Even before coming here, we often joked with each other, saying 'we will win.' We also discussed how each of us performed in the final qualifiers. Krezich is a very smart player, and he is a key resource that the club's coaching staff relies on heavily tactically, so we must definitely guard against him. He is undoubtedly a very good player, but the South Korean national team also has many good resources. I will convey the characteristics of Krezich that I know well to my teammates and ensure we play a match we can definitely win."

- It will be even more special as it is your third World Cup alongside your same-age best friends Kim Min-jae and Hwang In-beom, both born in 1996.

"This is not a World Cup just for the three of us. It is a special World Cup for everyone in the national team. If we must talk about us, we have been close friends since childhood. I believe we still play a middle role within the national team. There are juniors below us and senior veterans above us. I talk a lot to help the junior players perform their skills in a comfortable atmosphere, and I act as a bridge to communicate and get along well with the seniors. We are preparing well for everything needed in life both on and off the field. We have participated in many tournaments together in the past, and each time was special, but the meaning of this tournament seems particularly extraordinary. I want to take on many roles with a sense of responsibility and be a great help to the team."

- There is an analysis that the Czech Republic's back space is a weakness. How is your personal condition?

"Personally, my condition is very good. It is the same for other players as well. Especially, young players like Yoon Ki-wook and Kang Sang-yoon, who joined as training partners this time, are showing very good performances at the training ground. For the remaining few days, it will be most important to refine our tactics as a team and achieve good results. We are holding daily meetings and closely analyzing the Czech Republic's strength. The World Cup is a stage that must be proven by results, and especially the first match is the most important. Just as it was at the Qatar tournament, I will create both good performance and results in the first match."

- At the Qatar World Cup, there were injuries in the early stages of the tournament. How is your physical condition now?

"I have no pain at all right now. My physical condition is 100%."

- Since your club team was relegated last season, your motivation and determination must be different.

"I do not think about doing well at the Wi Hae (CEO) team. Whenever I come to the national team, I always set aside personal ambitions and myself to play. Whenever I dedicated myself to the team, the results were always good, and I have done well like that so far. This time, I only want to be a great help to the team. I feel that not only me but all the players in the national team are preparing with the same sincere heart. I will focus all my attention on playing the three group stage matches well right now."

- What is the hint for breaking down the Czech defense?

"Teams that have qualified for the World Cup finals each have a clear decisive move, and their defense is also solid. Since the opponent is strong, it is first and foremost that each of our players maintains the best condition. Since the best players in South Korea have gathered, I will ensure we generate the best synergy on the field. It is a bit difficult to explain the specific tactical parts in detail at this venue."

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*This content was translated by AI.