If you lose, it’s really over.
The Korean national soccer team, led by coach Jürgen Klinsmann, advanced to the round of 16 by ranking second (1 win and 2 draws) in Group E of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. Klinsmann, who is aiming to win the title for the first time in 64 years, has advanced to the round of 16, but the situation is not good.
Both the content and the result are “all over the top.” Korea got off to a fresh start by winning the first group match 3-1 against Bahrain, but disappointed the team by showing performance that was close to graduation from the second to third matches. In the second match against Jordan, Korea took the lead due to Son Heung-min’s penalty kick (PK) first goal, but Park Yong-woo’s own goal allowed the team to tie the game. Korea was dragged down by even conceding a come-from-behind goal, and tied the game 2-2 due to the opponent’s own goal right before the closing of the second half.
Game 3 was even more shocking. He only added one more point against Malaysia (130th), the lowest FIFA ranking among the participating countries after Hong Kong (150th). He led the game by increasing the ball occupancy rate, but was hit by counterattack by the opponent. The three points were the most lost games ever played under the leadership of Klinsmann who took the helm in February last year. Despite the fact that “monster defender” Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) was at the helm, the team tied 3-3 and secured second place in the group after Bahrain (2-1).
Despite lower-than-expected results and content, the coach also shouted, “From now on.” Korea, which advanced to the round of 16 as the second-ranked player in Group E, will face Saudi Arabia, the first-ranked in Group F (two wins and one draw). “I started preparations internally. I analyzed our games first and then Saudi Arabia. From now on, each game is the final. Tensions are mounting. It is important for us to prepare well while respecting whoever we meet.”
We cannot deny that results are more important than performance. Literally, it is time for us to take a life of our own. Coach Klinsmann, who called for criticism when the results came out despite controversy over his performance and tactics, is now also responsible for the results. 마카오토토주소
Notably, he displayed confidence in the knockout stage. “I had a lot of experience in the tournament as a player and manager, and I had a lot of fun. I have experience in how to prepare and organize a team in a tournament, and it will have a positive effect (on the Asian Cup),” he told reporters in September last year.
Even before the match against Saudi Arabia, Clinton said, “From now on, each game is the final,” adding, “It is the final of the round of 16 strongest teams. I think a lot of drama will be written. It will be a tense match, but I have high expectations.”