Video Interview: Incheon United's Connor Chapman on U20 World Cup

In K League United's exclusive interview Incheon United's central defender Connor Chapman revealed how he saw the move to Korea as a way of earning a place in the full Socceroos squad. But, with the Republic of Korea hosting the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup, Chapman offered his thoughts on his experience in youth World Cups and offered advice to the current crop of starlets. Chapman skippered the Australian side during their 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup campaign in Mexico, making three group stage appearances against Ivory Coast, Brazil and Denmark before being knocked out against Uzbekistan in the second round. Two years later Chapman started all three of Australia's group games in the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey against Colombia, El Salvador, and Turkey.

(Image courtesy of FIFA.com)

You played in the Under 20 World Cup which is going to be here at the end of May, if you had any advice to give to any of the players in that tournament, what would you say to them?

I played in the Under 17 and the Under 20 World Cup, and I think it is a great opportunity for them. The world is watching, all scouts, clubs, everyone is; especially here in Korea. At the smae time, me looking back at it, it's somethign you have got to enjoy as well. You may never play a World Cup and some players don't and for me it has that feeling about it, it's different and you have to enjoy it and I did, I enjoyed both my World Cups. Hopefully, I can go on and get a bigger World Cup.

What were some of the differences, did it feel different in training or the moment hit you more when you hear that national anthem? 

I think going to Mexico for the Under 17 World Cup, I think there was a lot more security and we had guards with machine guns following us around, and it was like the SAS or like the army was protecting us, we had helicopters going above us. It was full on. It gives you that sort of sense of importance and you go to a game and you're the world's best in your age group and I think for the players they should take that as confidence to go on and do well and not be afraid that the world is watching. They should be confident enough to go on and do well.

So it seems that was something that fed you, amped you up a little more?

Yeah for sure, I think playing for Australia is a massive thing and for me my number one is to play for my country. Playing overseas too, with the second one in Turkey, you get the build up to it and your whole family and everyone in your country is watching you. It's a good feeling.

Do you think you'll get chance to catch a few games over here?

I'll definitely be going down to Incheon, I'm not sure who is in the group but I'll definitely be making it.

It's a bit inconvenient for you, having to leave Incheon for a month.

Yeah but for the kids who are playing it is massive. For them to enjoy it is the main thing and for us, we played more than we should have at home in the first nine rounds so it evens itself out.