Asked if he wanted to add anything else at the end of the interview, smiling South Korea coach Jin Soo Han obliged in his vernacular.
"We're really humbled to be invited back here for the second year in a row, so thanks to the hockey committee," Han said through translator Haena Seol, 22, of Napier.
"We're a little disappointed with the weather, though, because our players are getting a lot of injuries in the rain and cold so it would be nice if they can move the tournament a little closer to summertime," he said, before facing New Zealand in the first semifinal of the annual Eight Nation Hawke's Bay Cup at 4.30pm today.
Before that, the 50-year-old former Korean Olympian and striker emphasised the Blacks Sticks were strong and it would be good exposure for his players, especially the new crop.
"We are mentally strong and we can beat them," he said after World No 9 Korea upset No 5 United States 2-1 in the quarter-finals on Thursday.