2024-04-25 20:19:29
Olympic team coach Hwang Seon-hong, who was facing Indonesia led by coach Shin Tae-yong, was wary of the opponent’s organizational strength. Coach Hwang expressed confidence, saying, “We will work as a team and win with our own style.”
Korea, led by coach Hwang Seon-hong (56), will play the quarterfinals of the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Asian Cup against Indonesia, led by coach Shin, at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Qatar at 2:30 a.m. on the 26th (hereinafter Korean time).
Korea won first place in Group B with three consecutive wins, defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE), China, and Japan in the group stage. Thanks to this, Korea was able to avoid the host country and the strong team, Qatar, ranked 1st in Group A, and face a relatively easy opponent, Indonesia, ranked 2nd in Group A.
In terms of historical records, Korea is ahead of the Indonesian U23 national team with all 5 wins. However, Indonesia is an opponent that cannot let down its guard because they have coach Shin Tae-yong who knows Korea well.
In this tournament, which also serves as a qualifying event for the Paris Olympics, the top three teams advance to the finals, and the fourth-place team must play a playoff against Guinea in Africa.
According to AFC, Coach Hwang said at a press conference ahead of the quarterfinals, “One of Indonesia’s strengths is that it is led by Coach Shin Tae-yong,” and “He has been with the players for a long time.” “The opponent is organized and solid,” he warned.
Although there is no let-down, Korea’s objective power is superior.
Korea boasts a stable offense and defense balance with 3 goals, 4 points, and no goals in this tournament. Coach Hwang said, “(Opponent) attackers are all talented, but rather than thinking about their strengths, we need to prepare well and play with our own style.”
He expressed his plan to beat the opponent’s attack against Indonesia through the strength of a well-organized midfield and solid defense.
Coach Hwang said, “We must control the space well and not give (space) to the opponent. “We will try to keep it as compact as possible,” he explained.
He refrained from saying anything about the lineup for the match against Indonesia. Coach Hwang Seon-hong defied expectations and succeeded in the third match against Japan in the group stage by implementing a rotation.
He emphasized, “This game is very important,” and “No matter who starts, we must prepare as a team and play with determination.”
Coach Shin Tae-yong, who had to face his home team, predicted that it would be a difficult game, but showed his will to win.
Coach Shin, who made it through the ‘Group of Death’ including Qatar and Australia, looked back and said, “As expected, we were in a difficult group and it was really difficult,” and added, “But all the players had a strong will to win. “I’m happy that he performed well,” he said.
Indonesia, which advanced to the U23 Asian Cup finals for the first time in history, even advanced past the group stage for the first time. If they defeat Korea, they will be one step closer to advancing to the Olympics for the first time.
He said, “We have already written history. What is important is what is right in front of us. “We will do our best to win the Korean War.”
Coach Shin said, “Korea has strengths in terms of physical strength and physique,” adding, “The defense is especially solid. Although it is difficult, we are making a concrete plan to break through the defensive line. “We have power, so we need to block (the opponent’s) set pieces well,” he said.
Coach Shin Tae-yong selected Jeong Sang-bin (Minnesota) and Uhm Ji-seong (Gwangju) as targets to watch out for.
Coach Shin, who led the U20 team, Olympic team, and national team A in the past, expressed his determination to do his best, saying, “Sports are sports,” rather than any special feelings.
(Seoul = News 1)
2024-04-25 20:19:29