S. Korean midfielder says his assist vs. Germany was ‘special experience’

South Korean football player Ju Se-jong speaks during a media event at the Korea Football Association House in Seoul on July 3, 2018. (Yonhap)

By Joo Kyung-don

SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) — South Korean midfielder Ju Se-jong said Tuesday that posting an assist against Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup was a “special experience.”

Ju played as a second-half substitute in South Korea’s shocking 2-0 win over defending champions Germany in their final Group F match at the 2018 World Cup last Wednesday. The 27-year-old was one of the biggest contributors for the historic win as he created South Korea’s second goal against Germany at Kazan Arena in Kazan, Russia.

With South Korea leading 1-0 in the second-half stoppage time, Ju won the ball from German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who left the box and even moved up to the left wing, and sent a long pass to a sprinting Son Heung-min. The Tottenham Hotspur forward then easily tapped the ball into the empty net to seal the victory for South Korea.

“I will probably never experience that moment again, where I took the ball from a goalkeeper and sent it behind the halfway line,” Ju said during a media event at the Korea Football Association House in Seoul. “It was a very special experience for me.”

With Neuer out of his position to help Germany score goals, some fans pointed out that Ju’s long ball was him shooting for a goal, not a pass. However, Ju, who is with South Korean second-tier club Asan Mugungwha FC, said it was a pass aimed at Son.

“Even Son asks me whether it was a pass or a shot,” he said. “Some people might not believe it, but it was a pass and I sent it deep for Son. Fortunately, he was able to score, and I felt great.”

Despite the win over Germany, South Korea failed to reach the round of 16 as they previously lost to Sweden 1-0 and fell to Mexico 2-1. In his first World Cup, Ju started against Mexico before playing some 25 minutes against Germany.

“I know we didn’t get the result that fans wanted from this World Cup, but at least in the final match, I’m satisfied that we were able to show a performance that can unite fans and the players together,” he said. “I tried hard every moment to be at the World Cup, and I was able to compete. I learned many things.”