Like the Hungarian national team in preparation for Euro 2016, the South Korean "Taeguk Warriors" are also preparing for the major event in Saalfelden Leogang just under two weeks before the start of the World Cup in Russia. South Korean international and Red Bull Salzburg striker Hee-Chan Hwang has a "home game" waiting for him. He is one of only two players from the Austrian Bundesliga to qualify for the World Cup with his respective national team. He will be joined by stars Ki Sung-Yueng (captain and player at Swansea City) and ex-Hamburger and Leverkusen player Son Heug-min (currently under contract with Tottenham in the Premier League) as they build up their final reserves for the World Cup matches at the training camp organised by SLFC GmbH.
From the metropolis of Seoul, where the players were seen off in suits and on the catwalk by thousands of enthusiastic fans last week, the South Koreans will be travelling to the breathtaking mountain and natural landscape of Leogang: "Saalfelden Leogang has now made a name for itself beyond the borders as a destination for football training camps. The basic prerequisite is that, in addition to a perfect infrastructure, you also offer a great hotel industry and here we can score with high quality in Saalfelden Leogang," says Marco Pointner, Managing Director of Saalfelden Leogang Touristik. "We are delighted that the South Korean football team is preparing for the World Cup in Russia in SalzburgerLand. Through consistent work and the establishment of top infrastructure, SalzburgerLand has managed to become one of the best destinations for football training camps for top international teams in recent years," says Leo Bauernberger, Managing Director of SalzburgerLand Tourismus Gmbh (SLT).
"Our friends from Korea are now preparing in Austria for the second time. We want to offer them ideal conditions for an exciting World Championships. The Saalfelden Leogang region is therefore a good choice, as it is one of our top destinations," says Hannes Empl, CEO SLFC GmbH.
This will be the Asians' 10th World Cup appearance in total, with the Taeguk Warriors' best result being fourth place in Korea/Japan in 2002. In Group F, the Asians will face Mexico, Sweden and the German national team, among others.
Two test matches in Innsbruck and Grödig to determine where they stand
The highlights of the camp are the two test matches: On 7 June, Bolivia await at the Tivoli in Innsbruck (2.10 pm). (Accreditation requests at: www.slfc.at/press) On 11 June, they will face Senegal in Grödig, in camera.
