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Joo Min-gyu, who participated in the mixed zone interview after the game.

Joo Min-kyu (34, Ulsan HD), the "oldest Taegeuk mark ever," smiled and expressed his extraordinary feelings about the "highest age" title.

The Korean national soccer team, led by interim coach Hwang Sun-hong, tied 1-1 with Thailand in the third Group C match of the "2026 North-Central America World Cup Asian Qualifier" held at Sangam World Cup Stadium in Seoul at 8 p.m. on Sunday. Joo started as a forward striker and played on the field until he was replaced by Hong at 19th minute in the second half.

Regardless of the results of the match, Joo has set a new record of "the oldest A-match debut ever" (33 years and 343 days). He is more than a year apart from the previous record of Han Chang-hwa (32 years and 168 days) in 1954. Earlier, Joo was selected as the member of the Korean national team at the age of 333 days and became the youngest member of the A-match team.

What is the feeling of Joo Min-gyu, who is constantly breaking the record of the oldest? "I'm only 33 years old, but now that I'm the oldest, I feel like I'm 40 years old," said Joo Min-gyu after the match at the mixed zone. "But doesn't the title of the oldest mean that I'm the first place in that category? I think I'm in a good mood." 메이저사이트

Min-gyu is breaking through.

Joo must have felt different when he was listed on the first starting lineup and the audience shouted his name. "I thought many fans would come," said Joo. "I was more adrenaline-like and excited to hear the fans' support."

"At first, I played a role in tying up the opponent's defense in the offensive end. After that, I tried to come down a little bit and give Son Heung-min or Jung Woo-young the front-line space," Joo said. "It was a role I wanted and my favorite play, so I think we hit it off well."

When asked how he felt about playing with Son for the first time, Joo replied, "He is not a player that I can evaluate. He is a really good player. If he matches well, he can help Son score. He could get help again."

Do you have any ambition other than the first time as a member of the national team? "I think it would be better to play in the second game than in the first game. Personally, I don't think I was nervous, but I think I was in a lot of energy," Joo said. "If I participate in the game on June 26, I want to show my fans my talent."

Joo Min-kyu congratulates Son Heung-min.

"If I won today, I want to give myself a high score. However, I don't think I can give myself that big a score because I drew a tie. Today (21st) is 50 out of 100 points. Since this is my first time playing in the tournament, I will aim for my debut goal in the next game."

Fans congratulated Cho on his selection as a member of the national team by sending a message to Joo Min-gyu, saying, "The late bloomers are beautiful." "The fans cheered for me more and said many good things than I did. The fans account for the largest portion of the selection of the national team," Cho said. "I will do my best not to become a fan in the stadium. I will also run in the next game."