“Fear Is The Biggest Enemy; Major Games Are No Different”

Four Korean football players who are playing in England’s Premier League met with the “future” of the Korean football.

Park Ji-sung (26, Manchester United), Lee Young-pyo (30, Tottenham Hotspur), Seol Gi-hyun (28, Redding FC) and Lee Dong-guk (28 Middlesbrough) met with national youth soccer team players aged somewhere between 17 and 20 at the Grand Hilton Hotel in Seodaemun-gu on June 11. The meeting was organized by the Korea Football Association.

Feeling odd at first, both young and mature players soon lightened up. Professional players started talking to young players who will compete at the World Cup Youth Tournaments in Canada from July 1 (those under 20) and in Korea from August 18 (those under 17).

Lee Young-pyo said, “Don’t be afraid. I regretted major tournaments that I could’ve done better in. Only when you are free from fear can you realize your true potential.”

His remarks led to advice.

“You should focus your energy on showing what you’ve got. Don’t dwell on your performance. Building experience while playing with world-class players is what really counts,” said Park Ji-sung.

“As long as you do your very best, there’ll be no regrets,” said Lee Dong-guk.

“You guys look confident about yourselves. That will help bring good results,” Seol Gi-hyun added.

Park Joo-ho (Soongsil University), the captain of the U-20 squad, said, “Their advice was very helpful” and Kim Dong-cheol (Taeseong High School), the captain of the U-17 squad, said, “It was great to see stars I only ever saw on TV. I respect them.”