Hwang Seon-hong ahead of ‘Single Bridge quarterfinals’: “Indonesia’s strength is Shin Tae-yong”

“We are also wary of the fact that naturalized players are placed in the right places… We respond with compact soccer.”

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Ahn Hong-seok = “(Indonesia’s) strength is having coach Shin Tae-yong.”

Hwang Seon-hong, coach of the Korean U-23 national soccer team, which is attempting to advance to the Olympic finals for the 10th consecutive time, said this ahead of the ‘one-legged match’ against Indonesia led by coach Shin Tae-yong.

Korea will clash with Indonesia at 2:30 a.m. on the 26th (Korean time) in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Asian Cup, which also serves as the final men’s soccer qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The 1st to 3rd places in this competition will secure a ticket to the Olympic finals, and the 4th place will play an intercontinental playoff to determine whether or not they will go to Paris.

If Korea loses in the quarterfinals, its chances of advancing to the Olympics for the 10th consecutive time will be canceled.

According to AFC, at a press conference held the day before the game in local time, Coach Hwang did not let down his guard against Coach Shin, who had become an ‘enemy general.’

Coach Hwang said, “Coach Shin’s soccer is not something I should evaluate,” but added, “Because he has been in charge of the team for a long time, he shows a lot of strength in terms of organization. I think he has made a good team.”

Coach Hwang and Coach Shin traveled the K-League stage together during their active years, and even shared a meal with the national team.

Coach Hwang emphasized, “Because this is a game, I think it is important for both Indonesia and us to put aside personal feelings and have a good game normally,” and added, “I plan to prepare to win unconditionally.”

Indonesia has four mixed-race players born in the Netherlands.

Those who have played or are currently playing mainly on the European stage have improved Shin Tae-yong’s power with a better physique and basic skills than existing Indonesian players.

In particular, they gained a lot of experience by playing as a key player for Shin Tae-yong in the 2023 Qatar Asian Cup, Asia’s best adult stage held earlier this year.

Director Hwang pointed out that their presence is also a point to be wary of.

Coach Hwang said, “Players who have naturalized overseas are deployed in the right positions. Indonesia’s strength is that it has talented players in the offensive line.” He added, “Because the opponent is a technically strong team, we are able to keep the space compact for the entire 90 minutes.” “The important thing is whether we can maintain it, and we will focus on that aspect when we run the game.”

Coach Hwang also said, “Because we have to win, we will work hard to control the opponent’s strengths and demonstrate our strengths.”

Meanwhile, striker Ahn Jae-jun, who suffered a hamstring injury in the first match of the group stage against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was forced to leave the team, is unlikely to be able to appear in the match against Indonesia.

Coach Hwang said, “It is not easy for Ahn Jae-jun to play in this game.”

He continued, “Although Lee Young-jun (3 goals, Gimcheon) is doing well, there is only one top player (who can play). Jeong Sang-bin (Minnesota) can also play as a striker, so I am worried (about the composition of the offensive line).” He said.

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2024/04/25 13:56 Sent