Return to Brazil

[Anchor Lead]

With Son Heung-min joining the Olympic football team, all 18 players of the Korean national soccer team have gathered for the first time. In our next story, we follow Son on his return to Brazil after the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

[Pkg]

Son Heung-min was seen crying after Korea was eliminated in the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Two years later, he has joined Korea's Olympic football team as a wild card, aiming for back-to-back Olympic medals. Befitting his status as a football star playing for the Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, Brazilian volunteers surrounded Son at the airport for personal protection. Although he appeared exhausted from a long flight, he looked back on the painful memory of two years ago and vowed to play with new resolve and leave no regrets.

[Soundbite] Son Heung-min(Korean National Football Team) : "I remembered crying after the match against Belgium. As a Korean, I want to give whatever hope I can to my country."

All 18 Korean Olympic footballers gathered for the first time in the venue city of Salvador and held a simple launching ceremony. Led by head coach Shin Tae-yong and now joined by an exceptional offensive asset in top striker Son, the team's overall mood has grown much more positive.

[Soundbite] Shin Tae-yong(Head Coach, Korean Nat’l Football Team) : "Once Son Heung-min joins the team with his quick footwork and ability to keep the ball and score, our squad's offensive capacity will be vastly improved."

Emboldened with newfound confidence, the Korean football team will start its training in Salvador as it aims to win its second straight Olympic medal.