The South Korea national football team convened its full 28-man squad [1] for the first time on a grass training pitch in Guadalajara, Mexico.
This full reunion marks a critical step in the team's preparation for upcoming international fixtures. With the complete roster available, Coach Hong Myung-bo can now implement full-team tactical drills and chemistry building before facing opponents including Mexico and the Czech Republic.
The session took place 12 days [2] after the team's initial arrival in Guadalajara. The gathering was made possible by the recovery of two players, Bae Joon-ho and Kim Tae-hyun, who had previously been sidelined with injuries [3]. Both players rejoined the regular training lineup for the session.
Beyond physical readiness, the coaching staff is focusing on the psychological state of the roster. Han Deok-hyun, the team's mental coach, said the current atmosphere among the athletes during the training camp was positive.
"If I were to express the psychological state of the players in one word, it would be 'stable' in English," Han said [4].
The team is utilizing the facilities in Guadalajara to acclimate to the environment and refine their strategy. The return of the injured players allows the staff to evaluate the full depth of the squad as they prepare for the second leg of their match against Mexico.
“The full 28-man squad trained together on a grass pitch for the first time.”
The return of a full 28-man squad to grass training indicates that South Korea has moved past the initial injury and acclimation phase of their Mexican camp. By achieving a 'stable' psychological state and full physical availability, the team is now positioned to shift from individual recovery and basic fitness to high-intensity tactical preparation for their upcoming matches against Mexico and the Czech Republic.
