The national team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, conducted its final training on the afternoon of the 19th at the Goyang Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province ahead of the match against Oman, set for 8 p.m. on the 20th.

Since the assembly on the 17th, the national team gradually strengthened its organization as players joined the training.

On the first day, a total of 17 players, including 10 from the K League and Park Yong-woo (Al Ain), Jung Seung-hyun (Al-Wasl), Jo Yoo-min (Sharjah), Kwon Kyung-won, Won Du-jae (both from Khour Fakkan), Oh Se-hoon (Machida Zelvia), and Oh Hyun-kyu (Henk), gathered.

On the afternoon of the 17th, an additional 8 players joined the team, including Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Yang Min-hyuk (QPR), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City), and Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), further boosting the team's strength. They immediately joined the training and underwent a closed training session.

On the 18th, a Korea Football Association (KFA) official noted in a currency with OSEN that "today's training began at 5 p.m. and lasted about an hour. This training in Goyang focused on recovery and tactical training. A total of 26 players participated in the training, while Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) have not yet joined. Instead, Seol Young-woo, who returned today, joined the training."

Then on the evening of the 18th, Hwang In-beom and Lee Kang-in arrived, bringing all 28 members of the national team together.

The national team, having gathered all 28 members, carried out its first and last "complete training" on the afternoon of the 19th at 6 p.m.

During the early phase of training, the national team opened a 15-minute session to the press before proceeding to a closed tactical training session, focusing on enhancing the completeness of the game strategy for the match against Oman.

As the players entered the training field, each shouted a slogan to raise the training atmosphere. Despite the chilly weather at 3°C, the mood was heated.

Before the training session, coach Hong Myung-bo said at a press conference, "While some players feel fatigue, I will ensure we prepare well for tomorrow's important match with the remaining training time."

He added, "It is important how well the players' breathing aligns. In soccer, organization is very crucial. Time is needed for that. We do not have time. The way to make up for that time, such as video meetings to share game models and implementing them in training, is vital."

Coach Hong stated, "All players now are good in terms of ability. They can learn without needing to spend much time. I trust that the players I send onto the field will take responsibility. I expect that the players will do their best in tomorrow's match."

The team captain, Son Heung-min, who was also present, said, "I feel great physically. As I have repeatedly mentioned, my condition is better than ever. Considering the number of matches, I think our club's coach made that choice to create a better situation. My condition is very good, and I am maintaining it well."

He further commented, "I believe the fans will have high expectations for our first match of the year. The players also feel a strong sense of responsibility to deliver a good game for us. As the saying goes, the first button is important, so I hope we start well in this first match of the year."

Meanwhile, if South Korea wins both the match against Oman this time and the match against Jordan scheduled for the 25th, earning a total of 6 points, it will secure its 11th consecutive World Cup finals appearance, regardless of the results of the matches against Iraq and Kuwait in June.

[OSEN]

[OSEN]