“I’ve looked around countless times.”
Choi Seok-hyun (20, Dankook University), who has emerged as a “goal-scoring defender,” wants to reap the beauty of the last match against Israel for the 3rd and 4th place in the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup.
Choi Seok-hyun is one of the brightest stars in this tournament being held in Argentina. Although he is 178 cm tall, not tall for a center back, he is firmly guarding the rear of Kim Eun-joong with his quick judgment and good heading ability.스포츠토토
With Kim Ji-soo (Seongnam) and Choi Seok-hyeon boasting the best teamwork, Korea was the first Asian country to reach the semifinals in two consecutive tournaments.
In particular, Seok-hyun Choi’s brilliance was in the set pieces. He scored two goals only from corner kicks with a promised play with captain Lee Seung-won (Gangwon). He also scored an important header against Ecuador in the round of 16, and scored the winning goal in the first half of extra time against Nigeria in the round of 8.
On the afternoon of the 4th (local time), Choi Seok-hyun scores the opening goal in the first half of extra time in the quarterfinal match between Korea and Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup held at Santiago del Estero Stadium in Argentina. 2023.6.5 ⓒ AFP=News1
Choi Seok-hyun, who we met at the national team’s accommodation in La Plata on the 10th, laughed, saying, “I watched countless times the scoring scene I put in.”
He said with a shy expression, “It was just so good. It was so much better than other words.”
A native of Ulsan Hyundai Youth, he is the only university student along with goalkeeper Kim Jeong-hoon (Korea University) among the national team players participating in this tournament. Through the big stage of the U20 World Cup, Seok-hyun Choi is showing his presence and increasing his chances of entering the professional world.
He explained, “I think (this tournament) is a good opportunity to let me know myself.”
Despite his small stature for a central defender, Choi Seok-hyun is a versatile player. He runs into taller Europeans and he’s improving game by game. He said, “In the beginning, I was pushed behind in a power struggle, but later I learned the types of players,” he said. “I can play more easily now.”
On the afternoon of the 4th (local time), Choi Seok-hyun and players who scored the first goal in the first half of extra time in the quarterfinal match between Korea and Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup held at Santiago del Estero Stadium in Argentina are rejoicing 2023.6.5 ⓒ AFP=News1
As a short center back, he said, “I prepare in advance, select a location, and float first. I am always doing my best not to be pushed back in a power struggle.”
Choi Seok-hyun showed his will to win the 3rd and 4th place match against Israel at 2:30 am on the 12th.
He said, “I prepared with my colleagues from last year, and I will finish well and reap the beauty of the end,” and promised, “I will decorate the last game while laughing happily.”
Many fans expect him to be able to shake Israel’s net through set-pieces like he showed earlier.
Choi Seok-hyun smiled shyly and said, “You have to be lucky,” and emphasized, “I will try to do that.”
He continued, “I don’t know because I haven’t seen the video of the Israeli game yet, but if we play the way we want to do as we have done so far, we will be able to finish well.”