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Cho Gue-sung Aims for Foot Goals in World Cup Qualifiers; Kim Min-jae Joins Team

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Forward Cho Gue-sung is determined to score with his feet in the upcoming North, Central American, and Caribbean World Cup qualifiers, aiming to build on his previous success.
  • After recovering from knee surgery and complications, Cho has shown strong form, scoring seven goals since returning to his club.
  • The national team is preparing in Utah, with most players available except for Lee Kang-in, who will join later after his club's Champions League final.

Striker Cho Gue-sung, a breakout star from the 2022 Qatar World Cup, is eager to make his mark in the upcoming North, Central American, and Caribbean World Cup qualifiers, aiming to score with his feet this time around.

Cho gained widespread recognition after scoring two headed goals against Ghana in the group stage of the previous World Cup. Following his success, he moved to European professional football. However, he faced a challenging period due to knee surgery and subsequent complications, requiring extensive treatment and rehabilitation.

Even during rehabilitation, I never thought I wouldn't be selected. I prepared diligently, and this great opportunity has come.

— Cho Gue-sungDiscussing his return to the national team after injury.

Since returning to his club, Cho has demonstrated a resurgence in form, netting seven goals in official matches. His performance has earned him a recall to the national team by head coach Hong Myung-bo.

I want to emphasize my strengths more, focusing on my battles inside the box and holding up the ball.

— Cho Gue-sungDescribing his intended role and focus for the upcoming matches.

"Even during rehabilitation, I never thought I wouldn't be selected," Cho stated in an interview. "I prepared diligently, and this great opportunity has come. I want to emphasize my strengths more, focusing on my battles inside the box and holding up the ball."

He added with confidence, "This time, if I score, I want to do it with my feet, not my head." Cho also expressed his continued rapport with midfielder Lee Kang-in, who provided the assist for his debut goal in the last World Cup. "Every time we gather, I ask him to send in lots of crosses. I'll tell him again when I get here," Cho said with a smile.

This time, if I score, I want to do it with my feet, not my head.

— Cho Gue-sungExpressing his personal goal for scoring in the qualifiers.

The national team is currently holding a training camp in Herriman, Utah. With the arrival of Kim Min-jae on May 29th (KST), 25 out of the 26-player squad are participating in training. Lee Kang-in is the only exception, scheduled to join later after playing in the Champions League final on May 31st. The team will play warm-up matches against Trinidad and Tobago on May 31st and El Salvador on June 4th.

Every time we gather, I ask him to send in lots of crosses. I'll tell him again when I get here.

— Cho Gue-sungReferring to his partnership with Lee Kang-in.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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