Against the odds
![[REUTERS/YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2022/12/05/f4c1b2fa-d844-4d5f-abd5-123d918b40c0.jpg)
[REUTERS/YONHAP]
The Korean national football team face world No. 1 Brazil in the round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup on Monday night, or in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Korea.
Despite struggling with injuries since the tournament began, the Taeguk Warriors have already surpassed expectations, drawing with Uruguay and beating football giants Portugal to qualify for the knockout stage.
Captain Son Heung-min overcame an orbital fracture and recent surgery to play every while wearing a protective mask, with regular goal-scoring partner Hwang Hee-chan coming back from a hamstring injury to score the deciding goal against Portugal. Veteran defenders Kim Min-jae and Kim Jin-su have both been struggling with injuries but pulled through when needed to keep Korea strong at the back.
The emergence of rising stars Cho Gue-sung and Lee Kang-in offered a glimpse of a bright future for the Korean team, regardless of the result on Monday as they face such formidable opposition.
BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)