After playing a revolutionary role in South Korea’s qualification for the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship, Hwangseon Hongho striker Jung Sang-bin (Minnesota) has set his sights on reaching the Asian Cup final.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the second 40 minutes of the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifying Group B match against Myanmar at the Changwon Football Center in Gyeongnam, South Korea on Wednesday afternoon, the Minnesota forward assisted on Jeon Byung-kwan’s second goal of the tournament to help Hwangseon Hong Ho advance.
Normal Bin, who started as a right winger, ran all over the opposition’s flanks and center for 88 minutes until he was substituted for Heo Yul (Gwangju) in the 43rd minute and came off the field.
At times, he broke down the line from the right flank to break down the opponent’s defense, and at other times, he sent in a series of sharp crosses to create shooting opportunities.
In the 40th minute, he assisted his team’s second goal with a cutback pass from the left side of the penalty area toward Munjeon’s Jeon Byung-gwan (Daejeon).
“We needed a lot of goals, so I’m glad we got three,” said Jung Sang-bin in the post-match interview. “The coach emphasized side crosses and shooting in the box, and I tried to do my best to meet his demands.”
“I don’t think I’m half as good as I was (at my peak),” said Sang-bin, who plays for Minnesota in the Major League Soccer (MLS), adding that he is still in the process of finding his confidence in the United States.
Regarding Hwang’s performance, which totaled only one goal in the first and second games, he said, “We didn’t have enough time to get to know each other because the overseas players joined us late, and there were some players we didn’t know, so we needed time to get to know each other.” “In the third game, we got to know each other a little better, so I think we worked well together,” he explained.
“We intentionally sent a lot of crosses against Myanmar as the coach asked us to, and we also tried to shoot directly from both sides,” he added.
“Korea is a soccer powerhouse in Asia, so I think we should at least reach the final of the Asian Cup,” he said, adding, “We will prioritize the team over individuals and become a one-man team.”
“The A team is every player’s dream,” he said, adding, “I want to get back to form and play well, accumulate attacking points, and rejoin the A team.” “I will look up to my older brother, (Son) Heung-min, who is the best player in the world beyond Korea, as a role model,” he vowed. 파워볼