'Korea's Final Battle D-1' KIA Flower Coach "11 a.m.? I can watch! I'll be cheering with a stick. Is the goal now the quarterfinals?" [Daejeon On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

The day of the final battle is now one day away. 'WBC Hero' Lee Beom-ho (45), KIA Tigers manager, sent a message of support to the Korean national football team.

Ahead of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season away game against the Hanwha Eagles at Daejeon Hanwha Life on the 10th, Manager Lee was asked about the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup.

Manager Lee said, "They say the World Cup is starting now," and then asked back, "I support the Korean national team reaching the round of 16. Is the goal now the quarterfinals?"

Korea (FIFA ranking 25th) will play its first Group A match of the tournament against Czechia (FIFA ranking 41st) at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, at 11 a.m. Korean time on the 12th.

Starting from this World Cup, the tournament begins with a group stage format involving 48 nations, not 32. Additionally, all of Korea's group stage matches are scheduled between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Korean time.

In fact, baseball players and coaching staff have rarely been able to watch the World Cup before, as matches often take place in the early morning hours. However, this time is different. They can watch after waking up in the morning.

Manager Lee laughed and said, "If the match is at 10 or 11 a.m., I can watch. I can watch while having lunch. I'll watch the first half, then have lunch and watch the second half. They're holding the World Cup at the most leisurely time when we can watch the games best. It's good that our eyes won't turn red."

Recalling past World Cups, Manager Lee said, "The 2002 World Cup was also held here (Daejeon). On the days when Korean matches were played, baseball was suspended. I remember that I had just entered the professional league at the time, and I couldn't get tickets, so I couldn't go to the stadium. At that time, the neighborhood was very noisy due to Korea's advance to the quarterfinals. There were no people at the baseball stadium back then (laughs). It was like that. It's already been 24 years."

Manager Lee is not only interested in the World Cup but also has a strong interest in and enjoys various sports, including European football and basketball.

He said, "I should cheer with a stick (cheering bat). A red headband, wrapped in a Taegeukgi flag. Thinking back to the old days," revealing the passion deep within his heart while exuding a human touch.

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*This content was translated by AI.