The first defeat of the tournament brought tears to their eyes, but the team’s challenge is far from over. In three days, they will play their final game of the tournament against Israel for the bronze medal in the early hours of Monday morning local time. 메이저놀이터

Lee Jung-chan reported from Seoul.

<Journalist

The moment the final whistle blew, our players remained motionless on the field.

Choi Seok-hyun, who had scored the winning goals in the round of 16 and quarterfinals, looked like he couldn’t believe his defeat, while Kang Sang-yoon looked like he might cry at any moment.

Kim Ji-soo, the youngest at 19, ended up in hot tears.

Captain Lee Seung-won, who is often described as “reticent,” struggled to hold back his tears and helped his dejected teammates to their feet.

[Lee Seung-won/U-20 World Cup Team Captain: I actually had tears in my eyes, but I think I comforted them a little more, telling them not to hang their heads down because the game wasn’t over yet, and to prepare well for the rest of the game].

The players now pick themselves up and prepare for the 3-4th place match against Israel.

The third place team gets to stand on the podium and take home a bronze medal, so the game against Israel is not just a standings game, but a ‘bronze medal game’.

Israel is considered a fringe player in European soccer at the adult level, but this U20 team has made a huge splash by reaching the quarterfinals on their first ever appearance, and they are no pushovers, especially after beating Brazil in the quarterfinals.

Like the dreams I had while preparing for the tournament and the mindset I had then,

[Kang Sung-jin (pre-tournament): I’ve been dreaming about this tournament since I was a kid.]

[Lee Ji-han (pre-competition) : I’m not going to give up or anything like that.]

[Kang Sang-yoon (pre-tournament): I want to grow up and go back].

With ‘unbreakable hearts’, the young taijiquan warriors take on the final challenge with a precious medal at stake.