Kim Min-jae, a key defender for the national soccer team, expressed his determination to secure a victory ahead of the final group stage match in the 2026 North America World Cup.
According to Yonhap News on June 24, Kim spoke at a pre-match press conference at the Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico, stating, "The South African players have good skills and speed, so our defenders are focusing on those aspects to prepare well."
Regarding his role as a leader in the defense, Kim said, "I don’t provide a lot of feedback to the players. They already have a lot of confidence individually. I’m not sure why they elevate me."
He added, "I think of myself as supporting from the back rather than leading the team. It’s important for everyone to come together on the field, so I emphasize that a lot."
Kim noted, "As a sweeper, my role is to help other players move forward and play aggressively in defense. They say they receive support from me, but I’m just doing my job, and the other players are fulfilling their roles well. Their confidence has increased, and it seems we are showing good performances."
Meanwhile, the team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, will face South Africa in their third group stage match on June 25 at 10 a.m. at the same venue.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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