National soccer team veteran central defender Kim Yeong-kwon (32, Ulsan) once again scored a goal against a European powerhouse in the World Cup finals, imprinting his presence as a 'miracle man'.
Kim Young-kwon scored an equalizing goal in the 27th minute of the first half when Korea was trailing 0-1 in the final 3rd match of Group H of the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stage against Portugal held at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on the 3rd (Korean time). 1 The footing of the band electrode was laid.
A left-footed corner kick kicked by Lee Kang-in (Mallorca) from the left hit the back of opponent Cristiano Ronaldo (Independent) and landed in front of the goal, while Kim Young-kwon, who joined the attack, stumbled and fired a left-footed volley shot that opened the Portuguese goal.
It was a scene that reminded me of Kazan Arena in Russia on June 27, 2018.
In the final third game of the World Cup group stage in Russia, where Korea met Germany, the World Cup defending champion at the time and first place in the International Football Federation (FIFA), Kim Young-kwon was the protagonist of the preemptive final goal that broke the 0-0 balance in the second half of extra time.
Even then, in a corner kick situation, he accurately put the ball that came out of the German defender into the German goal, and after that, Son Heung-min (Tottenham) scored an additional goal, and Korea created the 'Miracle of Kazan', one of the most surprising events in World Cup history.
In preparation for the World Cup in Russia, Kim Young-kwon, who suffered a difficult time to the point of leaving the national team for a while after being caught up in the controversy over 'missing an interview', stood tall as a 'miracle protagonist' and recovered fans' support.
Kim Young-kwon, who shed tears after finishing the tournament, saying, "It has been so hard for four years. I will sacrifice for Korean football in the future," later took the center of the defense under coach Paulo Bento, and was on the third World Cup stage of his life, including the 2014 Brazil tournament. went out
He, who has been active as a main player along with Kim Min-jae (Napoli), who has been reborn as a European, attended the official press conference held the day before the Portugal game as a player representative and expressed his earnestness, saying, “I feel similar to the German match four years ago.” .
Kim Min-jae was sidelined due to injury and his shoulders got heavier, but he focused on defense and did not miss an opportunity from a set piece, such as cutting off a sharp cross from Ronaldo in the 23rd minute after conceding the first goal.
Even as he slipped on the flowing ball, he shook the goal net without losing concentration on his left foot, and celebrated himself with a kiss on his forearm just like four years ago.
Kim Young-gwon, who scored a meaningful goal in his 99th A-match, was able to play his 100th A-match in Qatar as Korea advanced to the round of 16 with a dramatic victory thanks to Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton)'s come-from-behind goal in the second half of extra time. .
(Photo = Yonhap News)