Korean bronze brigade cheer military escape
Source: AFP |
August 12, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SOUTH Korean players celebrated with extra relish after their 2-0 defeat of Japan in Friday's Olympic bronze medal match earned them exemption from military service.
The South Korean authorities had promised to spare the squad a stint in the armed forces, which is usually obligatory, if it secured the bronze medal.
Whether fuelled by delight over the result or relief at avoiding their spell in military fatigues, coach Hong Myung-bo revealed that the South Korean celebrations had got slightly out of hand.
"It is a big disaster in the changing room," he said. "The players went crazy and threw everything about. I couldn't go inside and had to wait outside until the press conference began. It was just crazy."
As well as allowing the players to focus on their club careers, Hong said the exemption from the 21-month spell in the military would also benefit the South Korean national side.
"Today's result will bring them big benefits for their careers now that they don't have to do military service," he said. "This will also be important for the development of Korean football."
Ki Sung-yeung echoed his coach's thoughts.
"There was this possibility for every player, so we're happy to avoid that," said the Celtic holding midfielder. "We can now play in Europe more times and that was a big motivation for us."
The South Korean authorities had promised to spare the squad a stint in the armed forces, which is usually obligatory, if it secured the bronze medal.
Whether fuelled by delight over the result or relief at avoiding their spell in military fatigues, coach Hong Myung-bo revealed that the South Korean celebrations had got slightly out of hand.
"It is a big disaster in the changing room," he said. "The players went crazy and threw everything about. I couldn't go inside and had to wait outside until the press conference began. It was just crazy."
As well as allowing the players to focus on their club careers, Hong said the exemption from the 21-month spell in the military would also benefit the South Korean national side.
"Today's result will bring them big benefits for their careers now that they don't have to do military service," he said. "This will also be important for the development of Korean football."
Ki Sung-yeung echoed his coach's thoughts.
"There was this possibility for every player, so we're happy to avoid that," said the Celtic holding midfielder. "We can now play in Europe more times and that was a big motivation for us."
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