# Hwang Sun-hong "I'm Sorry we Couldn't Win... The Players were 100% 'One Team'" The Korean national soccer team draws 1-1 at home against Thailand in the World Cup qualifiers. Interim coach Hwang Seon-hong of the Korean national soccer team, which ended in a draw with Thailand at home, said, "I'm sorry we couldn't win," and emphasized, "The players played with 100% unity." **[토토사이트 순위](https://www.outlookindia.com/plugin-play/2023년-11월-스포츠-토토사이트-순위-및-추천-사설토토-먹튀검증-top15-news-328577)** The Korean national soccer team ended in a 1-1 draw in the third home game of Group C of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asian region second qualifying round against Thailand held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 21st. It was the national team's first international match since the Qatar Asian Cup, where they were eliminated in the semifinals after a poor performance. Fans were even more disappointed when it was belatedly revealed that a 'bottom-up' incident occurred in which Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) physically collided with 'captain' Son Heung-min (Tottenham) on the evening before the Asian Cup semifinals. If the national team had achieved a multiple-goal victory against Thailand, which was considered one step below them, it would have definitely helped to change the minds of the frozen fans. However, it ended in a draw. [Coach Hwang](https://boosty.to/outlookindia/posts/d96e64fc-6ef1-4953-ad53-ad0f96b13d6a) said at a press conference after the game, "I'm sorry for not winning," and added, "This is not the end. It's disappointing, but I'll overcome it and prepare well for the away game." For Coach Hwang, it was his first A-match. After former Coach Jurgen Klinsmann was dismissed, he took over the national team as interim coach, leading only the A match this March. Director Hwang said, “It could be an excuse that the period to build organizational strength was short,” but added, “What is disappointing is that the overall sense of stability was a bit low.” “I also think the players were in a hurry,” he said. He continued, “Because there are parts of the game that are polar opposites, finding stability and operating the game somewhat normally should come first. “We will improve those areas,” he said. Coach Hwang said that although he lost, the players were able to play as a “one team” again with “one mind,” and he said, “The players played with 100% oneness.” “I think the players communicated with each other and prepared for the game to the point where I can trust them 100%,” he said. Coach Hwang said on this day that he was the oldest player ever (33 years, 343 days). Regarding striker [Joo Min-gyu](https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/cristellecruz/diary/202408030002/) (Ulsan), who set a record in his A-match debut he said, “He played his role as a starter,” but although he did not increase his attack points, fellow strikers such as Son Heung-min (Tottenham) and Lee Jae-seong (Mainz). He showed good linkage play with the players, but was replaced by Lee Kang-in in the 17th minute of the second half. Director Hwang said, “Joo Min-gyu was calculated to take on that amount of time.” He continued, "We wanted to take control of the game a little more by making a change (instead of Joo Min-gyu, Lee Kang-in)," and added, "We conceded a goal right before this replacement. I think there may have been a mismatch in this area." Regarding bringing in [Lee Kang-in](https://outlookindia.diary.ru/p222080235_kim-min-jae-germanys-third-division-team-saarbr-cken.htm) as a substitute, Coach Hwang said, "I thought that personal emotions were nothing more than a luxury while preparing for the game, and I prepared the game solely to win, and that's how I planned the best lineup," and "I have no regrets." Sun-Hong Hwang will leave for Thailand on the 22nd and play the 4th round of the Asian preliminary round against Thailand at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok at 9:30 pm on the 26th.