"Yang Hyun-jun, why don't you get up quickly!" Japanese criticism... Hit in the chest by Jesús Gallardo's kick → Complaining of pain on the ground, evaluated as 'too rough'
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Celtic player Yang Hyun-jun was hit in the chest by a kick from Toluca's Jesús Gallardo during a match.
- Despite the impact, Yang Hyun-jun is reportedly facing criticism for not getting up quickly.
- The incident occurred during a match between South Korea and Mexico in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Celtic player Yang Hyun-jun is reportedly facing criticism after being struck in the chest by a kick from Toluca's Jesús Gallardo during a recent match. The incident, which left Yang Hyun-jun clutching his chest and in apparent pain on the ground, has drawn ire from some observers who believe he was not quick enough to rise.
The match in question was part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, featuring the South Korean national team, managed by Hong Myung-bo, against Mexico. The game took place at the Estadio Jalisco near Guadalajara, Mexico.
Details regarding the specific nature of the criticism and the context surrounding Gallardo's action remain unclear, but the report suggests a perception that Yang Hyun-jun's reaction was overly dramatic or that the foul itself was excessively rough. The description implies a debate over the physicality of the game and player reactions to contact.
Originally published by Chosun Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.