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Representative of U23 Australia
Aleksandar Popovich (registered name Popovich), a member of Australia's U-23 national team, expected to face South Korea at the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar U-23 Asian Cup.
Popovich wished the best of his Gwangju FC teammates Um Ji-sung and Byun Jun-su, but expressed his determination to do his best if he faces South Korea.
Popovich's team, Gwangju FC, went to a 2-2 tie in the fifth round of the "2024 Hana Bank K League 1" against Incheon United at Gwangju Football Stadium on the 3rd, but lost 2-3 after dedicating the winning goal to Gersso at the end of the game.
Gwangju, which failed to win a point, fell to seventh place in the league, while Gwangju lost three consecutive games. It is Gwangju, which has lost three consecutive games for the first time since head coach Lee Jung-hyo took office.
After the match, he met Popovich in the mixed zone. Popovich started the match on the day and played full-time, taking responsibility for Gwangju's defense. As the game proceeded with Gwangju attacking Incheon's defense with the ball and Incheon counterattacks, Popovich was required not only to defend but also to have the ability to play the ball stably from the opponent team.
Popovich emerged from the locker room with a reminiscent face and stood in front of reporters. When asked if he cried when he saw his tears in his eyes, Popovich calmed down and began an interview, saying, "My heart ached so much that I cried before I knew it."
It was a bitter loss. Gwangju allowed the lead to 0-2, but successfully caught up with Incheon in the second half, and was able to bring about an atmosphere and even aim for a come-from-behind goal. However, luck didn't run out as Lee Hee-kyun's shot hit the side net or Gabriel's shot hit the post.
In addition, at the end of the game, Kim Kyung-min was sent off, and Ha Seung-woon wore a goalkeeper's glove. Gwangju gave up the winning goal when Ha Seung-woon's failed handling of the ball hit Gersso and went into the goal.
Popovich was sorry for his last run as the team's defender.
"It was a really tough game. We conceded two goals, but we managed to make it 2-2 really hard. We thought we could have won, but we conceded a goal in the last minute. As a defender, I am saddened that we conceded this goal."
It was also the first time in Popovich's career that he lost three consecutive games.
"I think it's my first time to lose three games in a row. Losing games in a row doesn't mean it's hard. Losing games is always difficult. Still, there are parts that I can learn from losing games, and I know how to win games, so I look at those things positively and think about the next game," Popovich said.
"It's hard to accept the result, but I still feel the team's mindset is good in that we followed up to 2-2. Not only me but all the team members felt that way. And the season is not over yet. I will work harder for the next stage," he said, adding that he will overcome the pain and focus on the next game.
Gwangju's locker room conversation time was quite long on this day. I asked Popovich what coach Lee Jung-hyo said after the game.
Popovich said, "The coach said, 'It's already past. We have to accept it because it's an irreversible and irreversible past.' He also stressed that recovery is what matters right now because the league is still in full swing and there is a game against Gimcheon Sangmu on the weekend. He also said that as he prepared for the next game, he told his team members to play with confidence."
There is a reason why Popovich feels even heavier. With his team having lost three consecutive games, Popovich will play against Gimcheon on Wednesday and join the Australian U-23 national team on Wednesday. He has to participate in the qualifying round for the 2024 Asian Football Confederation U-23 Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will take place in Qatar in the middle of this month.
Popovich said, "I am not thinking about the national team match right now. The most important thing is the match against Gimcheon on the weekend. I am thinking about (the national team) after I get good results in the match against Gimcheon. Right now, I am focusing 100 percent on the match against Gimcheon," adding, "I will focus on the match against Gimcheon."
At the same time, when the Olympics was mentioned, Popovich said, "I dreamed of participating in the Olympics since I was young. It was my dream stage as a soccer player, and I am also dreaming of participating in the World Cup. I use those things as motivation every morning. Of course, I would be happy if I get the chance to participate in the Olympics," expressing his hope to participate in the Olympics.
Australia is a potential tournament opponent for South Korea, although the tournament is still before it takes place. The top-ranked team in Group A, which includes Australia, will meet the second-ranked team in Group B, which includes South Korea, and the second-ranked team will meet the first-ranked team in Group B. Australia is a strong candidate to advance to the quarterfinals to compete with Qatar for first and second-ranked teams in Group A.
Even if they do not meet in the quarterfinals, Popovich can still face Korea in the final match or the third-place match, depending on the results of the matches and the two teams. He could face his Gwangju teammates Umji and Byun Jun-su as enemies.
Popovich knew about it. "As far as I know, I will definitely meet Korea in the tournament. I wish (Um) Ji-sung and (Byeon) Jun-su good luck, but if Australia matches Korea, I will make sure Australia wins. I think it will be a really fun game if we meet because I know Korean players will do their best," he said, looking forward to a showdown with Korea.
Popovich aims to join the Australian A team beyond the U-23 national team. In Australia, there are opinions that it would be good to have Popovich join the A team immediately. Popovich has outstanding performance and potential.
Coach Lee Jung-hyo also looked into the possibility of Popovich. Lee said he would investigate the possibility of Popovich's growth and help him grow. After realizing Lee's sincerity, Popovich is also growing under Lee.
Popovich said, "I've known about you for a long time. Through my agent, he said, 'You are a really promising player, and I can raise you. If you come to Korea, I will help you become the best player.' This comment gave me great motivation. I think I'm also growing in Korea." 토토사이트
Fortunately, Popovich quickly adapted to the team, as his former team Adelaide United and Gwangju have similar ways of managing the game. Popovich is currently at the core of Gwangju's defense and has established himself as a key center back in Gwangju, where he works with veteran defender Ahn Young-kyu on the defensive line.
Popovich said, "The style of my previous team was similar to that of Gwangju. I always tried to make a game with the ball. It is similar to Gwangju in that it maintains a high market share, and Coach Lee Jung-hyo pursues that style, so I am currently enjoying playing soccer in Gwangju," adding, "I am satisfied with playing in Gwangju."
Chinese soccer hopeful Wu Lei expressed his dissatisfaction with Son Heung-min
Chinese soccer hope Wu Lei expressed dissatisfaction with Son Heung-min, but he is only criticized.
South Korea won 3-0 in an away match against China in the second Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA North-Central America World Cup held at the Universiade Sports Center in Shenzhen, China on November 21 last year.
On this day, 'Captain' Son Heung-min scored multiple goals to lead South Korea to victory.
The Korean national soccer team had a 3-0 victory in away matches against China in the second qualifying match for the 2026 FIFA North-Central America World Cup, which took place at the Universiade Sports Center in Shenzhen on November 21 last year. Son scored multiple goals in the match, making an absolute contribution to his team's away match in China.
Son Heung-min scored a penalty kick won by Hwang Hee-chan in the 11th minute of the first half and performed a "shhhh ceremony" in front of the Chinese crowd.
However, China's Wu Lei suddenly approached Son Heung-min and protested. Son Heung-min expressed uncomfortable feelings, and Hwang Hee-chan also blocked Wu Lei.
At the time, interest was high in Urey's remarks, but it was not revealed.
However, Wu Lei spoke about the situation at the time in an interview with Chinese state media CCTV.
"You're a world class player. That's why I told my fans after scoring a goal that I shouldn't do provocative celebrations," Wu Lei said.
However, Japan is also showing interest in Urey's remarks. Soccer Digest explained, "Fans are criticizing Urey's remarks."
Fans criticized him, saying, "Son Heung-min scores against Manchester City and Liverpool, but Urey only scores in Singapore," "China has more Son Heung-min fans than Urey," and "If you are a professional player, don't complain and do your best on the field."
Meanwhile, Wu Lei has a strong chance to play against Son again in June. China will face South Korea in the final round of the second Asian qualifying round for the North-Central America World Cup, scheduled for June 11
Macau's New Grand Lisboa Palace to Open By Second Half
The president of Macau and local casino operator SJM Holdings Limited reportedly expects Grand Lisboa Palace under construction to begin welcoming players and guests by "the second half."
A declaration by Ambrose Soshoffai, the chief executive of the Hong Kong-listed giant, said it did not expect all retail space at the $5 billion venue to be rented at the time of opening.
SJM Holdings Limited is responsible for about 20 casinos spread across Macau, including the iconic casino Grand Lisboa, along with the new Emperor's Palace Casino. Work on the 2,000-room Grand Lisboa Palace began in February 2014, explaining that the previously completed cotay strip building included three five star hotels branded under the Grand Lisboa Palace, palacho Versace and Karl Lagerfeld Moniker, along with conference facilities and various shops and restaurants.
"It could be partially released by the second half of 2020. Not all stores will be rented on time by then, but hotel rooms should be rolled out along with casinos and some stores."
SJM reportedly hopes the completed Grand Lisboa Palace will be able to compete with nearby rival integrated casino resorts, such as Sands China Limited's $2.4 billion Venetian Macao as well as Melco Resorts and Entertainment Limited's $3.2 billion Studio City Macao, and help the operator boost its gaming business. For the year so far, So declared that his company is facing several economic headwinds caused by ongoing political protests in Hong Kong and the ongoing trade war between China and the United States. 슬롯
"I hope this can be the same level as last year. We hope that our local gaming revenue at SJM [Holdings Limited] will not be lower than before."
The company's game sales during the week-long Golden Week holiday were "slightly worse than expected," despite raising hotel room share well above 90 percent before mentioning that the VIP business was "not doing well."
"We thought more traffic would make our income better, but it wasn't. We've seen good foot traffic in our properties, but business in casinos is."
U-23 national soccer team
South Korea's under-23 (U-23) national soccer team advanced to the final if it won 1-0 against host Saudi Arabia with Um Ji-sung's winning goal in the 41st minute of the first half in the 2024 Western Asian Football Confederation (WAFF) U-23 Championship semifinals at Al Fate Stadium in Al Mubaraj, Saudi Arabia, on the 24th .
Korea will play Australia in the final round of the tournament at 5 a.m. on the 27th.
After a 1-1 draw with Egypt, Australia won the penalty shootout 2-1 and reached the final.
This tournament is a prelude to the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Asian Cup, which will be held in Qatar from the 15th of next month as well as the Asian qualifying round for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Eight countries, including Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, participated, starting with South Korea, which aims to advance to the Olympic finals for the 10th consecutive time.
The U-23 national team, which is playing in this tournament, is playing as "Hwang Sun-hong without Hwang Sun-hong," as Hwang Sun-hong, who is leading the U-23 national team, takes over as the "interim head coach" of the national soccer team, which will play in the second round of the 2026 North-China World Cup qualifiers.
South Korea, which started the offensive with Baek Sang-hoon (Seoul)'s mid-range shot in the 13th minute of the first half, left a regret when Hong Si-hoo (Incheon) right footed shot from the right side of the penalty area hit the net next to the right side of the Saudi net in the 23rd minute of the first half.
Saudi Arabia's counterattack was also strong.
South Korea, which gave up a free kick to Saudi Arabia near the penalty arc in the 38th minute of the first half, overcame the crisis when goalkeeper Baek Jong-beom fired a right-footed shot from Suhayb Al-Zaid. 토토사이트
South Korea, which overcame the crisis of losing a point, predicted victory in the 41st minute of the first half with Um Ji-sung's scoring shot.
When the ball from the back was hit by a Saudi defender, Bae Joon-ho (Stoke City) caught it and stabbed it to Hong Si-woo who jumped to the left side of the penalty area, and Hong scored with a right footed shot. Hong's goal was the final goal.
South Korean players, who finished the first half 1-0, had a brief emotional fight with Saudi players in the 15th minute of the second half.
Salem Alnazidi, who was competing for an aerial ball near the left touchline, was pushed behind the billboard by Hong Si-hoo, and players from both teams rushed in and engaged in a war of nerves.
South Korea continued its offensive in the 28th minute of the second half, with Ahn Jae-joon (Bucheon)'s right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area flying in front of the goalkeeper, but ended the game with a one-goal victory without additional points.
The Seoul Derby will be held on April 17th
Seoul E-Land FC won a thrilling victory over Daejeon Korail after a penalty shootout in the second round of the 2024 Hana Bank Korea Cup held at the auxiliary stadium of Daejeon World Cup Stadium on the 23rd.
This marks the second "Seoul derby" in history. Seoul E-Land FC will invite FC Seoul home in the third round of the Korea Cup on the evening of April 17.
In the first Seoul derby held in the third round of the FA Cup in 2021, Seoul E-Land FC won 1-0 over FC Seoul.
Seoul E-Land FC tried to make changes by putting in a large number of players who did not play this season.
With Cha Seung-hyun, Shinsegae, Kim Min-kyu and Hwang Tae-hyun forming a four-back, Seo Jae-min, Park Chang-hwan and Lee Sang-min were placed in the midfield, while Cho Young-kwang, Kang Min-yeol and Byun Kyung-joon played as three-top. Lee Ki-hyun kept the goal.
In the first half, he rarely penetrated the opponent's defense and failed to score an effective shot.
In the second half, Seoul E-Land FC tried to change the atmosphere by excluding Shinsegae and Seo Jae-min, and adding Park Joon-young and Jang Seok-hoon.
In the 14th minute of the second half, Seoul E-Land FC, which overcame the opponent's free-kick attack crisis well, found a way out with Jang Seok-hoon and Byun Kyung-joon alternating threatening shots from the left and right sides.
However, in the 24th minute of the second half, Kim Byung-oh allowed a left-footed mid-range shot in front of the arc, giving up the first goal.
In the 36th minute, Seoul E-Land FC, which cleared the line, scored a valuable equalizer by Kim Gyeol, who was replaced. Kim Gyeol brought the game to square one by connecting Hwang Tae-hyun's ball from the right with a calm right-footed shot from the gate. 토토사이트
In the 48th minute of the second half, Seoul E-Land FC, which gained momentum, Jang Seok-hoon attempted a powerful left-footed shot in front of the arc, but the game was extended as it came out of the net.
Both teams failed to score even in the first and second half of extra time, and eventually went on a shootout. Seoul E-Land FC replaced goalkeeper Um Ye-hoon.
Seoul E-Land FC finished the match by beating Daejeon Korail 5-3 who missed the second kick with all five kickers calmly shooting in the penalty shootout.