2024-05-12 07:35:10
Failing to participate in the Olympics for the 10th consecutive time after being eliminated in the semifinals of the Asian Cup
Recognition that not only Japan but also ‘weak’ Southeast Asian teams are worth a try
Expert: “Everyone must approach with the same urgency as in 2002.”
Korean soccer, which showed off its might as an Asian tiger by advancing to the semifinals of the 2002 FIFA Korea-Japan World Cup, has now been reduced to a paper tiger unchecked by neighboring countries.
Japan’s Kyodo News recently reported, “Korean ball sports have missed out on participation in the Paris Olympics, which will open in July. Men’s soccer, which boasted of being a leading player in Asia, was also eliminated, and the number of players sent to Paris fell below 200 for the first time in about 50 years. “It is being pointed out that the existing player development system that has built a sports powerhouse is at a crossroads,” the report reported.
This is not just a criticism of Japan, which was evaluated as a rival.
Even in Southeast Asia and China, where Korea was considered a weak team, there is a perception that Korea is a team worth playing for.
The U-23 national team, led by coach Hwang Seon-hong, suffered a shocking defeat to Indonesia, led by coach Shin Tae-yong, in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Asian Cup.
At the time, Vietnam, Indonesia’s Southeast Asian rival, paid attention to Shin Tae-yong’s performance. Vietnamese media ‘Vietnam Express’ reported, “Indonesia is aiming to surpass Korea and even advance to the Olympics.”
In fact, Hwang Seon-hong failed to achieve his goal of advancing to the Olympics for the 10th time in a row by losing to Shin Tae-yong. Korea was unable to advance to the Olympic finals for the first time in 40 years since the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
Previously, in the ‘2023 AFC Asian Cup’ held in the same place in Qatar last February, the A team, composed of older players, had to experience a shocking elimination by losing to ‘weak’ Jordan in the semifinals.
There are constant criticisms that the rapid collapse of Korean soccer is due to the backward management of the Korea Football Association, led by Chairman Chung Mong-gyu.
Not only the fans who are shouting ‘Chung Mong-gyu out’, but also the Korea Football Coaches Association recently said, “Football leaders share the same view that the current Korean football is in an unprecedented crisis, and the fundamental cause of these repeated disasters is the reckless behavior of the chairman and executive of the Korea Football Association. “We make it clear that this is a short-term measure aimed only at avoiding the administration and crisis,” he said.
He added, “We condemn the irresponsible attitude of the Football Association, which is only focusing on the national team’s performance while ignoring the mid- to long-term development plan, and is shifting responsibility that should be borne by the executive team, including the president, to a few leaders.”
There was an opinion that Korean soccer, which once ranked fourth in world soccer, must have a new attitude and a proper organizational system in order to regain its past glory.
Commentator Han Jun-hee said in a phone call with Newsis on the 12th, “The concept of ‘Asian Tiger’ must now be abandoned. “There is no need to let go of our pride in being a strong team, but it is better not to think that we are fundamentally at a higher level than certain opponents,” he said.
He continued, “In today’s world soccer, there is no tactical or information gap (unlike in the past). “Anyone anywhere can access advanced soccer through countless broadcasts and new media,” he added.
Meanwhile, a committee member argued, “Therefore, despite differences in base, player base, and availability of expensive players, we live in an era where the boundaries between strong and weak teams become blurred when teams are pitted against each other in national competitions.”
In fact, if you look at recent soccer trends, there are a lot of ‘ambushed’ countries that are performing on par with traditional powerhouses such as South America and Europe. Even in Asia, Southeast Asian teams, which were considered to be on the periphery of soccer, are playing on a par with the Middle Eastern powerhouses.
One member emphasized the harmony between the association, coaches, and players, saying, “Slight differences in player levels can be easily overcome if there is a good combination of proper organization, good tactics, and the players’ fighting spirit.”
“So the first step to returning to the past is to abandon the attitude of being an ‘eternal tiger.’ “Currently, there are many players playing in Europe, and the arrogant attitude that they continue to participate in the World Cup and Olympics could lead to a decline in soccer,” he said.
Korea was in a situation where it could take the first step. They are looking for a replacement for former coach Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany), who was dismissed due to poor performance during the Asian Cup.
One committee member said, “We need to regain the same level of desperation and mental attitude as when we brought in former coach Guus Hiddink (who led the team to the semifinals). “At the time, we were the host country of the World Cup, but we were a team that had not won a single World Cup game before, so everything had to be done desperately,” he said. “Everyone, including the association, leaders, players, and journalists, must be humble in their attitude and take a desperate approach.” .
[서울=뉴시스]
2024-05-12 07:35:10