Klins Manho’s first A match period is over. There are three things we could see from the last two matches.
The Korean national soccer team, led by coach Jurgen Klinsmann, played friendly matches against Colombia and Uruguay during the A match in March. The game against Colombia was held at Ulsan Munsu Soccer Stadium on the 24th, and the game against Uruguay was held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 28th. Klinsmann Ho recorded a 2-2 draw against Colombia and a 1-2 loss against Uruguay, recording 1 draw and 1 loss in his first A-match period.
Coach Klinsman predicted aggressive football right after he먹튀검증 was appointed to the national team. In his first game against Colombia, coach Klinsman played an aggressive game as he had predicted. In the first half, Korea overwhelmed Colombia with outstanding performance, and Son Heung-min scored two goals to show off his hot offense. However, they conceded two goals in the early stages of the second half, leaving them disappointed.
The game against Uruguay was even more disappointing. Two set pieces made Korea cry. After giving up the opening goal from a corner kick at the beginning of the game, Korea laid the foundation for a comeback with Hwang In-beom’s equalizer in the second half, but allowed an additional goal from a free kick. Afterwards, Kim Young-kwon and Oh Hyun-kyu shook the net, but as a result of the video review (VAR), a foul and an offside were declared, respectively, and the goal was not recognized.
In these two games, Klins Manho developed an attack based on strong pressure and fast tempo, showing what style of soccer he would like to play in the future, but on the other hand, he also revealed problems with his defensive organization and left uneasy. And besides this, there are some things that we were able to confirm through these two matches.
# Continuing the Bento legacy… The main axis of Bentuho → the main axis of Klinsmanho
The influence of the players who were active as the main axis of the team during the days of coach Paulo Bento was still great. First of all, Hwang In-beom, who was called the ‘Prince of Bentuho’, showed off the pressure and passing skills in midfield against Colombia, actively participated in pressure and defense, and played an active role in the midfield fight. The side-opening pass and the sharp pass that induced Son Heung-min’s foul in the game against Colombia were scenes that showed Hwang In-bum’s improved ability after the World Cup.
Lee Jae-seong also played a big role. Lee Jae-seong added strength to the attack development situation or defense situation based on the high activity on the side. Like Hwang In-beom, his ability to dribble, pass, and release pressure was quite good. Lee Jae-seong, who recently performed well for his team Mainz, continued that performance in his national team.
Son Heung-min was rather better. Son Heung-min, who was given a ‘free role’ in the game against Colombia, flew to the ground. Only in the first half, he scored with both his left and right feet, including free kicks, and he drove the ball directly to and from the midfield and side, or passed the pass to his teammates at the right time. It was a performance that made him forget the sluggishness of his team.
In addition to the individual performance of the players, the national team maintained the appearance of the Bentoho days as a team by developing an attack with a build-up starting from the rear as it was during the Bento coach. This was the result of consistently transplanting Bento’s soccer over the past four years. Manager Klinsman, who said he would maintain the system that Bento had created to some extent, kept his word in this two-game series. If this is maintained in the future, it is highly likely that the players who were naturally the main players of Bento will also be the main players in Klinsmann.
# ‘Ace of the next national team’ Lee Kang-in’s performance
Lee Kang-in’s performance against Uruguay was amazing. In the match against Uruguay, Korea tried to attack with Lee Kang-in on the flank, and Lee Kang-in took charge of it calmly even in a situation where he could feel a lot of pressure. He defended the ball with his dribble even under strong pressure and induced fouls when it was not possible. Once he got the ball, he led the attack with sharp passes and crosses. Coach Klinsman also praised Lee Kang-in’s performance after the match, saying, “Lee Kang-in could not be stopped unless the Uruguayan players committed fouls.”
Lee Kang-in’s performance is just nice to see. Although he is still young, Lee Kang-in is a player who will one day become the center of the national team, like Son Heung-min today. As the national team has revolved around Son Heung-min in recent years, it is said that Lee Kang-in will later become the central axis. It is natural that the sooner Lee Kang-in adapts to the national team, the better.
The burden on Ace is heavy. Now, Son Heung-min and later Lee Kang-in will bear the weight. The Uruguay match, where the attack was centered on Lee Kang-in, was close to tasting for Lee Kang-in. Fortunately, Lee Kang-in endured it confidently, and proved why he is considered the ace of the next national team in this two consecutive matches following the last World Cup in Qatar.
# Jung Woo-young and Kim Young-kwon need replacements
It wasn’t just the good side. The need to replace certain players as soon as possible was clearly felt.
A replacement for Jung Woo-young (Al Sadd) and Kim Young-kwon seemed clearly needed. Jung Woo-young often made uneasy scenes, such as making a pass miss or giving up the ball without being able to overcome the opponent’s pressure. As he was in his mid-30s, his physical abilities seemed to have declined a bit. Son Jun-ho, who came as a substitute after Jung Woo-young’s injury in the game against Uruguay, performed well, but Son Jun-ho is also in his 30s, so he needs a player who can replace Jung Woo-young in the long term.
It was the same with Kim Young-kwon. Kim Young-kwon cut off the opponent’s attack with good defense several times, but often lacked stability, such as a pass miss that led to a goal against Colombia. Kim Young-kwon, who has been responsible for the defense of the national team for a long time, but it was unavoidable that his skills declined along with aging and deterioration.
Of course, both players can still play more. However, if you think realistically, it is natural that it will be difficult to maintain the same skills as now after the Asian Cup. As coach Klinsman is looking at the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America, it is necessary to find players to replace the two players.