Soccer-South Korea’s Kim hopes World Cup results make up for missing daughter’s birth

June 8 (Reuters) - South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu missed the birth of his daughter this month due to his World ‌Cup preparations, but the 35-year-old says he is determined ‌to compensate for his absence with performances on the pitch.

> Kim, who is set for ​his fourth World Cup appearance, acknowledged the emotional cost of being away from his family.

> "I am really sorry that I couldn't be with my wife for the birth, and I want to bring home good ‌results from here as ⁠my presents," he told reporters on Sunday before a training session at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, near ⁠Guadalajara in Mexico.

> With more than 80 caps for South Korea, the experienced FC Tokyo goalkeeper faces competition for the starting spot from Jo ​Hyeon-woo.

> The tournament ​also carries a sense of finality ​for Kim, who suggested this ‌campaign may mark the end of his World Cup journey. Despite that, his enthusiasm has not dimmed.

> "I've played at every World Cup thinking it could be my last. Given my age now, this one really does feel like my final one," he said.

> "I am just ‌as excited about my fourth World ​Cup as I was about my first ​one. The first match ​will set the tone for the rest of the ‌tournament, and so there will be ​some pressure. I ​will try to stay calm and just do what I can do."

> South Korea have been drawn in Group A with ​co-hosts Mexico, the Czech ‌Republic and South Africa. They begin their campaign against the ​Czechs in Guadalajara on June 11.

> (Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal ​in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Chopra)