*This content was translated by AI.
Even the sky is helping Hong Myung-bo's team. The South Korean national football team has maintained peak condition while avoiding the terrifying heavy rains that struck Guadalajara.
The local weather situation is far more serious than expected. Since this reporter arrived in Guadalajara on the 6th (local time), the area has been experiencing repeated torrential downpours that typically begin around 8 p.m. and last for about two hours each day.
Even at 8 p.m. on the 11th, when Hong Myung-bo's team played against the Czech Republic, the initial weather forecast predicted a major storm with lightning, raising significant concerns about a water battle.
Until just before kickoff, the fickle weather kept everyone on edge, but fortunately, Hong Myung-bo's team faced the Czech Republic under clear skies. Although they conceded a goal from a powerful set piece and found themselves in a crisis, Korea, having perfectly adapted to the high altitude and Guadalajara's unique weather, showed great resilience to secure a thrilling comeback victory and earn three points in their first World Cup match.
The power of the heavy rain was proven on the evening of the 12th, the day after the Czech Republic match. This reporter went to a restaurant near the hotel for dinner and ended up trapped inside. A local Mexican encountered at the scene advised, "If you linger here much longer, the water will rise further and it will be difficult to return," so the reporter immediately stepped out onto the street, only to find the rainwater already rising to just below the calves, making even walking difficult.
The process of hailing a taxi was even more arduous. In areas where drainage was inadequate, police vehicles had already completely blocked the roads, making entry impossible. In fact, real-time traffic application maps even showed police blocking the roads. Ultimately, the area around the media team's hotel became completely flooded, preventing taxis from entering. The team had to exit their vehicles and run hundreds of meters through the rain before finally managing to return.
As a result of the back-to-back heavy rains, the hotel where the media team is staying even suffered a complete power outage. Earlier, Chang-sun Han In (Chairman), Guadalajara correspondent, explained in an interview with StarNews, "This area generally has poor drainage, so it is a vulnerable region that floods easily whenever it rains."
Coincidentally, the media team's hotel, which experienced this power outage and flooding, is located just over 2 kilometers away from The Westin Guadalajara, the hotel currently occupied by the Hong Myeong-bo-ho (CEO) team. Had the situation been different, the national team players could have suffered critical damage to their condition management.
Fortunately, the national team has proceeded with its schedule without any damage. They are focusing on condition management at a secure hotel to prepare for upcoming matches.
Protected perfectly even amidst the water bomb that struck the city, Hong Myung-bo's team is moving forward steadily without wavering. After a light recovery training session to loosen up the day after the Czech Republic victory, the team was granted complete rest the following day, including allowing players to meet with their local families, focusing on mental management and condition adjustment.
Having secured a favorable position for advancing to the Round of 32 with the victory over the Czech Republic, Hong Myung-bo's team is now aiming for the second group stage match against host nation Mexico amidst an atmosphere at its peak.
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*This content was translated by AI.
