Kim Tae-hyun (25, Kashima Antlers) expressed his feelings about his debut with the national team and his determination ahead of the upcoming Korea-Japan match. He said, "I will go all out," revealing his fighting spirit.
On the 12th, under the leadership of coach Hong Myung-bo, the South Korean men's national football team underwent intense training ahead of the final match against Japan in the 2025 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship (East Asian Cup).
After dominating China 3-0 on the 7th, South Korea recorded its second consecutive victory by defeating Hong Kong 2-0 on the 11th. If they achieve a draw or better in the final match against Japan on the 15th, they can effectively secure the championship.
The national team trained for about 1 hour and 30 minutes at Seongnam Sports Complex starting at 10 a.m. on the 12th. The players were divided into recovery and regular training groups based on their participation in the previous day's match.
In an interview with the Korea Football Association's official channel, Kim Tae-hyun said, "As I went through the age-specific national teams, it was my dream to be selected for the senior national team as an adult. I feel truly honored" as he shared his first impressions.
In the match against Hong Kong on the 11th, Kim Tae-hyun made his debut with the national team. Regarding this, he humbly stated, "I tried to focus on what the team required. Rather than saying I did well or that I was satisfied with myself, I approached the game with the mindset of helping the team as a whole."
Kim Tae-hyun has previously lived with coach Hong Myung-bo at Ulsan Hyundai. He recounted, "When the coach first called me up, he playfully approached me by saying, 'You look good,' and 'How is life in Japan?' He treated me very comfortably."
Currently playing in the J League, Kim Tae-hyun emphasized about Japanese football, "It has really changed dramatically, and overall, there are many good players. It's important for our players to maintain awareness as individuals."
He said, "I know some players in the J League. I will prepare well for the next match by sharing my know-how about those players with my teammates."
When asked about his determination for the Korea-Japan match, he firmly stated, "If I get to play, I will go all out to ensure victory."
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