'Korean soccer legend' Park Ji-sung delivers cold analysis: "Mexico match is practically the toughest... Key is Lee Kang-in" [★World Cup]

*This content was translated by AI.

Korean soccer legend Park Ji-sung visited the training ground of the Lee (CEO) team to encourage his juniors and offered a cold-eyed forecast.

On the 17th (local time), Park Ji-sung met with reporters at Chivas Verde Valle, the national team's training ground in Guadalajara, Mexico, saying, "Since we played a good match in the first game, we should be able to carry that momentum forward," while cautiously predicting, "Mexico is the strongest team in our group, and since the World Cup is being held in their home country, this will practically be the most difficult match in the group stage."

Regarding the realistic view that a draw would be considered a success, Park Ji-sung shook his head. He emphasized, "Tactically, whether we focus on defense and counterattack or press high up the field, we must go into the match with the mindset of trying to win. Only then can we secure a draw or achieve even better results. We should not go to the field with the intention of drawing; we must collide with the mindset of winning no matter what to get good results."

He viewed the one-sided support from home fans and the high altitude as assets, citing last year's experience in the United States. Park Ji-sung said, "Mexico will likely come out aggressively from the start to intimidate Korea," but added, "The players have already experienced a atmosphere almost identical to Mexico's home ground during their time in the U.S. last year, so that experience will be a significant help in preparing for this second match," expressing his confidence.

He also pointed out the role of the midfielders in penetrating the space behind the opponent. He analyzed, "If Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), and Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City) show the passing and movement they demonstrated in the first match, they can create plenty of good chances."

Especially regarding the master-disciple showdown with Mexican coach Javier Aguirre, who previously coached Lee Kang-in at Mallorca, Park Ji-sung named Lee Kang-in as the team's key player and said, "When one or two opposing defenders press him, if Lee Kang-in can break free with his individual skills, he can pose a major threat to the opponent," placing his expectations on him.

On the long-standing curse of the World Cup's second match, often cited as a brutal history for Korean soccer, Park Ji-sung showed a dismissive reaction. He said, "A curse is something that must eventually be broken," and added, "Given that the current players have turned their worries about the World Cup into expectations, they should be able to play while breaking these curses one by one. I have higher expectations for this second match than for any other World Cup," smiling.

Finally, regarding the utilization of captain Son Heung-min (LAFC), he stated, "It is less about whether he plays as a lone striker or on the left side; what matters is what benefits we can gain when Son Heung-min is on the field and what chances the surrounding players can seize." He highly evaluated Son's presence itself, regardless of position.

He did not forget to offer warm advice to his juniors. Park Ji-sung said, "The players are performing so well that there is nothing for me to advise. I just hope they can show everything they want to do on the field without any injuries; that is all I could ask for," urging them to enjoy the World Cup.

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*This content was translated by AI.