Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nanjing: A win against Japan will send Korea Republic into the semi-finals, and keep alive their hopes of a fifth consecutive FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup appearance, something coach Jong Song-chon considers a crucial part of their development.
Speaking ahead of the Koreans’ meeting with the five-time champions – who have provided the best football of the tournament so far - Jong emphasised the significance of another trip to the global finals.
“On Thursday (our senior national team) had a friendly with match with the USA,” said the 2013 AFC U-19 Championship-winning mentor.
“Most of the players in that team have played in the U-20 national team, and they have experienced the World Cup.
“In 2016, there was an U-20 World Cup in Papua New Guinea, and three of those players are in the national team now, so it’s very important to experience the World Cup and qualify so that they can develop to the best level.
“It is very important for all of our players to experience the match against Japan, the semi-final, the final – they are all Important, because (the players) are in a very important stage of their development process.”
The senior Korean national team lost 3-1 to the world champion Americans, but their goal was scored on debut by 2016 U-20 Women’s World Cup graduate, underlining Jong’s point.
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