"Next year is already 20 years"…The responsibility and pride of Ji So-yeon, who has been in the national team for 19 years

"Next year is already 20 years"…The responsibility and pride of Ji So-yeon, who has been in the national team for 19 years

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Ji has already entered her 19th year as a member of the national team. She felt a great sense of responsibility for generational change.
South Korea's women's national soccer team, led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, lost to Colombia 0-1 in the "Korea National Football Team Friendship Match Invited to Coupang Play" held at 7 p.m. on the 30th at the Incheon Namdong Rugby Stadium. South Korea will leave its regret behind and start preparing for the second round on the 2nd of next month.
South Korea activated the 3-4-3 formation. Park Soo-jung, Ji So-yeon, Moon Eun-ju, Lee Young-ju, Kim Shin-ji, Jang Seul-gi, Kim Hye-ri, Lim Seon-ju, Ko Yu-jin, Shin Na-young, and Kim Min-jung were the starters.
Colombia featured a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mari Alvarez, Dinella Arias, Manuela Fabi, Maira Ramirez, Catalina Usme, Illana Izquierdo, Carolina Arias, Linda Caicedo, Eliadis Minota, Lysed Serna and Catherine Tapia started.
Ji displayed her "column" side of the national team on the day. As the game did not go well, Ji mainly focused on getting down and penetrating the path. In the first half, she displayed organic passing plays with Kim Shin-ji and Lee Young-joo to release her offense. The same was true in the second half. She also provided passes to the sides and the front. Without Ji So-yeon, South Korea could not continue its general offensive until the end of the second half.
Ji told reporters after the match, "I had difficulties early in the game. I tried to stop Colombia's No. 9 Ramirez and No. 18 Caicedo well. I tried to stop Colombia better because I experienced it when I met Colombia at the World Cup, but I had difficulties."
Colombia often blocked South Korea's attacks with its overwhelming physicality. Ji said, "We can't increase our physicality. Have you seen Ramirez play No. 9? Even most adult men are probably too much to handle. He is based in Chelsea, but he has improved compared to two years ago. We are behind in physical conditions, but I think we can handle it well near the box in detail. The process of making shots was not detailed. We should try to make a goal by continuing to penetrate, not standing to receive the ball."
When asked about the extended scoreless period for the national team, he said, "I don't think I did a good job in shooting. I have a responsibility. I try to focus more on finishing the second game. I did the same when I met with Colombia two years ago, but I couldn't because of my mistakes. I feel the need to be careful."
Ji So-yeon has a significant age gap with the youngest members of the national team. Notably, she is 17 years older than Casey Eugene Fare, who was born in 2007. Ji said, "Everything was difficult at first. Now the youngest members feel a lot more comfortable and try to catch up well on the field. I'm trying to pull up the middle and youngest players from the center. I hope the youngest players will come up to the next World Cup as much as possible while playing a supporting role."
Since Shin Sang-woo's inauguration, the number of young players is gradually increasing in the squad. Ji So-yeon said, "I also emphasized to Park Soo-jung who made her debut, but opportunities do not come easily. I told her to play more confidently because it was her debut match. I think she had difficulties due to her nervousness, but the harmony between the old and young players is good. I want to help young players go in a good direction."
Ji So-yeon expressed satisfaction with the gradual change of generation. He said, "Young players are being discovered. There are many good players. Under Colin Bell, the members were fixed. Coach Shin said, "I think it's a big difference in continuing to find new players."
Ji So-yeon, 안전놀이터 who went through a lot of hardships in the national team, turned her heart to her junior teammates. "Next year, it will be the 20th year since her debut in the national team," Ji said. "I am proud of myself that I have been here for a long time and that I can continue to be here. Before I leave the team, I want to place young players on the team and teach them my experiences to help them. Wouldn't it come down if that situation becomes the case?" he concluded the interview.