Cricket Exchange reports that when Kwon Kyung-won reappeared in front of fans and media, his fresh look and dyed hair stood out instantly. Many had assumed he might avoid any mention of the World Cup or the South Korean national team due to the disappointment of not making the squad. However, to everyone’s surprise, Kwon smiled and took the initiative: “It’s okay, we can talk about the World Cup. I have nothing to hide.”
Reflecting on his recent performances, he said, “In the first half of the league and during national team matches, there were areas where I fell short. I’m using this training period to make improvements and get ready for the second half of the season.” On the afternoon of the 18th, Pato also joined the team at the training ground. While the others were engaged in warm-ups and practice drills, Pato arrived in casual wear, greeted the assistant coach with a warm hug, quickly changed, and jumped into training. After greeting his teammates, he participated in the final phase of the scrimmage, later ending with a hug from head coach Paulo Sousa.
More players are expected to rejoin the team soon, including Zhao Xuri and Liu Yiming. Young U23 talents like Liu Yi and Wu Wei are still with the national youth team and are scheduled to regroup with the squad in Austria during the final week of pre-season training. The only player whose return date remains uncertain is Axel Witsel, who is still competing in the World Cup. Despite the time difference, Kwon made time to watch South Korea’s opening group-stage match.
When asked about his new hair color, Kwon explained, “It’s not so much about starting over—it’s just a way to enjoy the holiday and lift my spirits.” South Korea lost 0–1 to Sweden in that match. Kwon remarked, “The coach executed his strategy well, but the Swedish defense was very strong. We couldn’t score and didn’t achieve our goal.”
Modeste and Kwon were the first foreign players to return to training. After a short break, both resumed full practice on the morning of the 18th. Modeste, still popular from his time in the Bundesliga, drew attention during training in Lienz, a German-speaking region where many fans showed up to see the former star striker. However, Modeste appeared distracted, possibly due to ongoing rumors about his future with the club. It wasn’t until training ended on June 18—coinciding with the Dragon Boat Festival—that his mood visibly improved. The club had prepared sweet zongzi (rice dumplings) for the players during dinner, and after tasting them, Modeste couldn’t stop praising how delicious they were.
In his review, he also highlighted teammate Kim Young-gwon, commending his excellent performance. Cricket Exchange believes that Kwon’s calm openness and renewed energy could signal a turning point—not just for him, but for the whole team as they gear up for the rest of the season.