Hong Myung-bo enters Iraq where the temperature is 44 degrees Celsius...Go to the bulletproof bus
Hong Myung-bo enters Iraq where the temperature is 44 degrees Celsius...Go to the bulletproof bus
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Hong Myung-bo, who has only one point left to advance to the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time, entered Iraq, the "final site."
The South Korean national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, arrived at Basra Airport in Iraq at 5 p.m. local time on the 2nd.
The national team, which left Incheon International Airport the previous day on a chartered flight, stepped on Iraqi soil after an 11-hour flight.
Twenty-one Taegeuk Warriors, including "captain" Son Heung-min (Tottenham), who won his first professional title in the UEFA Europa League (UEL), started with staff including head coach Hong Myung-bo in Korea.
After arriving at the airport, the team immediately moved to their accommodation after filming in front of a welcoming banner at the Korean Embassy in Iraq.
According to an official of the Korea Football Association, the temperature reached 44 degrees Celsius at around 5 p.m. on arrival. In addition, it was very hot with hot winds. The deadly heat that was feared was confirmed as the biggest enemy of the Iraq war.
Fortunately, cooperation was successful in the local area. After getting on the two bulletproof buses, the team received cooperation for road control through security vehicles and police escorts.
Iraq is a travel-free country designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Korea Football Association has formed an away team with a minimum number of participants in close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Although the World Cup finals can be confirmed, there are no reporters who accompanied them due to local security issues.
Jo Yu-min (Sharja), Park Yong-woo (Al Ain), Kwon Kyung-won and Won Doo-jae (Korpakan), who play in the Middle East, arrived in Iraq first and joined at their accommodation.
Midfielder Lee Kang-in, who won the Champions League (UCL) and shared Paris Saint-Germain's treble (three gold medals), will join the team late on the morning of the 3rd local time.
According to the association, the training time was adjusted to a late time zone as possible, with 45 degrees Celsius in Iraq and 35 degrees Celsius in the evening.
The first training session was scheduled at 9 p.m. local time on the 3rd (3 a.m. Korean time) as a whole, including Lee Kang-in.
South Korea, which belongs to Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup, is leading the way with 16 points (4 wins and 4 draws), beating Jordan (13 points) and Iraq (12 points).
South Korea will play the ninth away game of Group B in the third qualifying round against Iraq at 3:15 a.m. on the 6th in Basra International Stadium in Basra, Iraq.
He will then return to Korea and play the final match of the third qualifying round against Kuwait at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 10th.
South Korea will confirm its advance to the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time just by drawing with Iraq. However, if both games are lost, there is a possibility that they will be pushed to the fourth qualifying round.
In the third qualifying round, the 1st and 2nd place in each group will go straight to the World Cup finals. The 3rd and 4th places will go to the 4th qualifying round, while the 5th and 6th places will be eliminated. 먹튀검증
Coach Hong Myung-bo met with reporters before leaving for Iraq and said, "We expect difficulties such as the heat and the unilateral support of the opponent," but added, "Since there are experienced players, I will put that in my head and enter the stadium."