According to South Korean media, South Korea national team captain Son Heung-min said at a press conference on the 23rd that the pain from the World Cup remains difficult to overcome, but the entire team must forget the past and move forward. Son continues to serve as captain in the first squad call-up under interim coach Roberto Moreno.

The South Korea national team, under interim coach Moreno, will face Ecuador in a friendly match at 8 p.m. local time on the 24th at Suwon World Cup Stadium. Starting with the Ecuador match, South Korea will face Uruguay, Venezuela, and Uzbekistan over four international match days from September to October.

Interim coach Moreno, who took office through an open recruitment process, has begun leading the team. Moreno said he analyzed data from approximately 1,700 players and called up 12 K-League players for a 30-man squad, launching a large-scale evaluation period. The South Korea national team gathered on the 21st and began official training for the international match days.

On the 23rd, the South Korea national team held an official press conference before the match at the Korea Football Center in Cheonan. Captain Son Heung-min attended and said: "We are playing in a new environment under a new coach. Nothing will be perfect. Most players only arrived yesterday. Tomorrow on the pitch, we will dedicate ourselves completely together."

This is the first time the team has gathered under coach Moreno. Son Heung-min returned to the team immediately after completing his club schedule and met with coach Moreno and his coaching staff. The captain's armband remains with Son Heung-min, and he will continue to serve as the leader of the national team throughout Moreno's tenure as interim coach.

Son Heung-min said: "He has discussed football extensively with us, and communication is frequent. He values internal competition among players at the national team and makes them feel the national team's demands—this is a very positive aspect. We've only had one training session. I want to develop a good relationship with him. I want to show a good image."

Regarding the pain from the recent World Cup, Son Heung-min acknowledged: "Recovery has not been easy. Even now, thinking about the World Cup is still very painful. Perhaps everyone feels the same way. But we don't need to cling to a past we cannot change. We must forget it now and move forward. I think that is the nature of a player's career."

How do you feel about the new national team?

Playing in a new environment under a new coach, nothing will be perfect. Most players only arrived yesterday. Tomorrow on the pitch, we will show that we are dedicating ourselves completely together.

How do you feel about the team's atmosphere?

I only recently returned to the team, and we haven't communicated much yet. It's still difficult to assess the team's atmosphere. Many young players have been called up to the team. They are here with the goal of pursuing their national team dreams and hope to continue improving. Through today's training and tomorrow's match, we need to integrate further. During this extended training period, we need to show a good image.

About the first gathering after the World Cup?

Recovery after the World Cup failure has not been easy. Even now, thinking about the World Cup is still very painful. Perhaps everyone feels the same way. But we don't need to cling to a past we cannot change. We must forget it now and move forward. I think that is the nature of a player's career.

What is your impression of coach Moreno?

He has discussed football extensively with us, and communication is frequent. He values internal competition among players at the national team and makes them feel the national team's demands—this is a very positive aspect. We've only had one training session. I want to develop a good relationship with him. I want to show a good image.

How do you feel seeing younger players succeeding in Europe?

I feel proud watching younger players succeed in Europe. I went through fierce competition when I was young as well. They spend their days in intense competition, and when I see this, I think they are amazing. With so many Korean players in Europe, goals and good performances can seem taken for granted. I'm in the US, so I can't watch matches live; the time difference doesn't work. So, watching match highlights has become a new hobby of mine. As a veteran player who loves football and as a regular person, I will support the younger players.

As a senior player, what do you think the national team needs to change?

I think we must show it in many ways. If players have disappointed fans at the World Cup, then the players' responsibility is to win back their hearts. We must show passion and emotion. This is important to me and necessary for other players as well. This time we will play four international matches. I remember a period during Paulo Bento's time as coach, and this seems to be the first time since then. I see it as an honor. To win back the fans' hearts, we need both exciting performances and detailed execution in matches. I frequently discuss these things with Lee Jae-sung and others.

Relations with the media were poor during the World Cup. Is there anything you want to say to the reporters?

I don't know what to say. Players follow protocol and maintain a respectful attitude when reporters come to interview. Ultimately, I think everyone must respect each other. Matches can be played poorly or well. Setting that aside, I hope everyone can respect each other as people. Players probably feel the same way. I hope we don't get angry with each other, but rather cooperate and move together in a positive direction.

About the matches during the Chuseok holiday?

I'm not sure if it's good that the matches coincide with the Chuseok holiday. I think families will come to the stadium or watch the matches on screen. We will play with gratitude and repay everyone with a united performance on the pitch.

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