Dominant Victory Boosts 'Morale'... Hong Myung-bo's Team Begins Preparations for Mexico Match in Nashville

Players Divided into Recovery and Training Groups to Manage Condition... Lee Jae-sung Continues with Hamstring Injury

The national soccer team training in Nashville, Tennessee, USA [Photo by Choi Song-a]

Having secured a commanding victory against a tough opponent in the United States, the national soccer team has boosted its morale during the September international break and has now arrived in Nashville, the next battleground, to fully commence preparations for their match against Mexico.

The national team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, held its first training session at the Nashville SC training grounds in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, on the 8th (Korean time) following their arrival.

The team had achieved a decisive 2-0 victory against the United States in a friendly match held at the Subaru Park in Harrison, New Jersey, the previous day, thanks to consecutive goals from Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Lee Dong-gyeong (Gimcheon), before immediately traveling to Nashville on a chartered flight.

Players who started and played significant minutes in the match against the United States, as well as those who had high physical output, engaged in recovery exercises on this day.

Captain Son Heung-min, who played about 60 minutes in the US match, recording one goal and one assist, warmed up with an indoor cycling machine before coming onto the field with a relaxed smile to watch his teammates train.

Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), who started against the United States but suffered a hamstring injury, making his participation in the Mexico match uncertain, also accompanied the team to the training ground.

Although Lee Jae-sung is reportedly in need of about a week of rest, he is expected to stay with the team until the end of the two-match international series.

Players who did not play or had relatively little playing time and physical exertion divided into positions and underwent tactical and set-piece training for about an hour in preparation for the Mexico match.

Son Heung-min entering the training ground [Photo by Choi Song-a]

During the ball possession drills, there were laughter and applause, indicating that the players were generally in a positive atmosphere while managing their condition.

Hong Myung-bo's squad will play their second match of the September international break against Mexico at Geodis Park in Nashville at 10 AM on the 10th.

Following the United States, ranked 15th in the FIFA rankings, Mexico, ranked 13th in the FIFA rankings and the winners of this year's CONCACAF Gold Cup, are also formidable opponents.

Lee Dong-gyeong, a second-line player who scored against the US alongside Son Heung-min, expressed his determination, saying, "The players communicated a lot, and I think the atmosphere became even better after yesterday's win. If I get another chance against Mexico, I want to show a good performance and win again."

Seol Young-woo, a European-based fullback (Crvena Zvezda), stated his aspirations, saying, "I consider this friendly match to be a real game like the World Cup. We achieved a good result against the US, but Mexico is also a strong opponent, so it will be a good opportunity to test how complete a team we are. We want to get a good result and return."