“Wishing Korean soccer team to advance to the round of 16 at the Qatar World Cup”
The Arirang cheering squad held an official launch ceremony at the former Goltoseong Square in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province on Nov. 19, to wish Korea's advance to the round of 16 at the Qatar World Cup.
With Honorary Chairman Kwon Tae-kyun and Qatar Embassy deputy ambassador to Korea attending, about 100 members and Hong Myung-bo, who was the coach of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, attended the ceremony to pray for the Korean national team's good performance.
A large number of international students from World Cup participating countries studying in Korea also participated in the event.
Various events were held, including drawing a national flag on a thousand-year-old tile by Buddhist artist Lee Hyang, freestyle Woo Hee-yong's performance and manufacture of cheering banners on 50 large national flags.
Honorary Chairman Kwon Tae-kyun said in a congratulatory speech, "I hope the national team will recreate the 2002 World Cup semifinal myth," adding, "Our cheering squad will unite in Qatar and show a successful cheering performance with passion."
CEO Oh Sinan Ozturk of the Global Business Alliance, who was naturalized in 2008, is Turkish in body, but Korean in mind and spirit.
"Although Turkey did not participate in this World Cup, I am sure that South Korea will do well," he said.
Coach Hong Myung-bo said, "I know the Bento team has been preparing well by accumulating a lot of practical training. "I hope they will show a good performance from the preliminary match."
At the ceremony, artist Lee Hyang drew a big round of applause from the participants as she drew a "horse running at dawn" wishing to cheer for the World Cup.
Calligrapher Hwang Woo-yeon wrote cheering slogans on the 50-meter cheering banner, "Dream comes true again," "Go Qatar, Go Korea Together."
On the large Taegeukgi, participants wrote various cheering slogans such as "I can do it! Round of 16" and "Victory Korea" to pray for Korea's good performance.
The Global Arirang expedition team, including honorary chairman Kwon Tae-kyun, is scheduled to leave for Qatar on Nov. 22.
The South Korean national soccer team will play against Uruguay on Nov. 24 and Ghana on Nov. 28, and Portugal on Dec. 3 to advance to the round of 16.
