In the late afternoon of April 8, China's women's soccer team will start a match with the South Korean women's soccer team in Goyang City, South Korea, which is the first round of the Tokyo Olympics Women's Soccer Asian Qualifying Round playoffs. The women's soccer team has been absent from the international stage since a year ago, and this appearance will undoubtedly be an important test for them after more than a year of hibernation. Whether or not they can win this first match and lay a solid foundation for the next home matches has become the focus of fans' attention. Meanwhile, Bell, the head coach of the South Korean women's soccer team, was outspoken in his pre-match press conference about his determination to lead his team to defeat our country and advance to the Olympics, stating, "I'm eager to make history!"
Due to the disruption of the epidemic, this pre-match press conference could only be held in online video format, with the head coach taking questions from reporters remotely. Despite the fact that the Korean women's soccer team has reached the World Cup tournament three times and even made it to the round of 16, the opportunity for the Olympics never came. Bell said at the conference, "This is actually the biggest motivation for us to participate in the tournament (on the 8th)! I'm very aware of that fact. I also know that we haven't competed in over a year and I really want to get back on the pitch and start playing right away. These two matches will be decisive and we will be positive and do our best to make it to the Olympics."
Bell revealed that the Korean women's soccer team has been in pretty good shape since their training on March 22, "I've been focusing on defense and high-intensity training. Our women's soccer team is able to control the ball and take the initiative in the game, they have more technical and physical advantages, and may have more time to prepare for the game. They are a passionate team. You have to be ready for anything. I also know that the match on the 8th will definitely be a close one."
Currently, three players who played in England have returned to the team, Ji Xiaoran of Chelsea and Lee Kim Min of Brighton, as well as Cho Cho Choong-hyun of Tottenham Hotspur, who just returned to Korea yesterday (6th). In response, Bale said, "Ji Xiaoran and Lee Kim Min have returned to the team due to FIFA designated national team competitions, and Cho Cho Cho Hyun returned to South Korea yesterday (6th), but will only be able to join the team and start training today (7th)."
