Yang Hyun-jun, Lee Kang-in, etc. were selected… “Skillful players” praised
“The best decision in the domestic evaluation game… I can’t predict the World Cup results, I’ll do my best”
Paulo Bento (53, Portugal), the coach of the Korean national football team, who is regarding to take the ‘September mock exam’, dismissed the worries regarding Son Heung-min (30, Tottenham), who is in a ‘goal drought’, as an understatement.
Coach Bento said, “I’m not worried” to a question regarding Son Heung-min’s current situation while announcing the list of players for the September A match at the Shinmun-ro Football Center in Seoul on the 13th.
Bentuho is preparing for two mock exams in September to prepare for the 2022 Qatar World Cup finals, which will begin in November.
They will play Costa Rica at the Goyang Sports Complex on the 23rd and Cameroon at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 27th.
However, Son Heung-min, the national team’s ‘signboard’ ahead of the mock exam, has yet to see a goal in the new season.
He has recorded only one assist without a goal in seven matches since the start of the season, up to six matches in the English Premier League (EPL) and one match in the UEFA Champions League.
Bento said, “Personally, I have no intention of discussing this topic with Son Heung-min following the convening.
I don’t think it’s a problem, and I don’t worry regarding it.”
Coach Bento also boosted the confidence of young players such as Lee Kang-in (21, Mallorca) and Yang Hyeon-jun (20, Gangwon FC) who were on board this time.
Regarding Lee Kang-in, he said, “Technically, he is a very good player.
We will continue to make good judgments.” He praised Yang Hyun-joon, saying, “His technique and speed are good.”
Meanwhile, Lee Seung-woo (24, Suwon FC), who was interested in whether he was on the national team, was not called.
Coach Bento avoided mentioning Lee Seung-woo.
In addition, coach Bento expressed his position on the fact that these two evaluation matches will be held in Korea rather than abroad such as Europe.
Bento said, “I did my best to discuss with the Korea Football Association.” “It was not easy because there were not many European teams that might play.
“It’s not that I didn’t have the possibility to play once morest other teams in Europe, but I was trying to make the best decision.”
The following is Q&A with coach Bento.
— Why was Lee Kang-in selected?
▲ The reason for selecting Kang-in Lee is the same as the reason for selecting other players.
Performance, current physical condition, and the situation of the national team were taken into consideration.
Other players were also selected for this reason.
— Why was Yang Hyun-joon selected? What did you find special?
▲ The reason is clear.
He plays a lot in his team.
He is a young player, but he plays regularly.
Skill and speed are good.
While playing as a winger, he also scored several times in the league.
I thought he was a player who might help the team.
— Kang-in Lee plays freely in the front line of his team this season.
How do you rate your performance?
How to use it on the team.
▲ You have to look at it as a team, not as an individual.
The team is constantly observing how to use it, but the team is thinking regarding how to use it.
He’s a good player on offense, but he’s also quite good technically.
(During the game) Good judgment continues.
Of course, the defense task must also be developed.
It is more important to consider what can be done at the team level.
— Looking at the selections of Hyun-Jun Yang and Kang-In Lee, it seems that they are trying to change the color of the national team.
▲ There is only one newly selected player from this roster, and the rest are players who have worked together.
I don’t think there is much difference from the previous list.
We will make the most of this call and focus on whether we can develop at the team level.
From the end of October to the beginning of November, the last convening is held in Korea right before the World Cup.
All preparations for the schedule have been completed, but we will inform you when more information is available regarding the match.
— Son Heung-min is worried regarding Ki-woo, but he hasn’t scored yet.
how do you see
▲ No worries.
Personally, I have no intention of having a conversation with Son Heung-min on this topic.
I don’t think it’s a problem, and I’m not worried.
— Conducting evaluation competitions in Korea.
Do you have any regrets regarding not having an evaluation match in Europe?
▲ I did my best to discuss it with the Football Association.
You can’t do everything the way you want.
It was not easy because there were not many European teams that might play locally.
It’s not that he didn’t have the possibility to play once morest other teams in Europe, but he was trying to make the best decision.
I will refrain from mentioning too much.
— Kim Min-jae was elected for the first time since March.
How do you see Kim Min-jae’s performance following that?
▲ It seems to have taken a step as expected.
He’s a fantastic player, and he’s a good player on both sides of the ball.
They play in good leagues and show good performances.
Both Europe and K-League have weekday and weekend matches.
I hope you do well in the next game and keep playing.
— Tell us regarding your goals ahead of the World Cup.
▲ It is impossible to predict what will happen in the future.
It is certain that there will be three matches in the World Cup and the next thing to do is to compete to the best of your ability.
Otherwise, you cannot go to the next stage.
— Why was Seungwoo Lee not selected?
▲ It is difficult to mention all the players who were not selected.
The decision not to pick any player is a tactical decision.
— Do you think the 26 people selected this time will be the final list?
▲ Team development is a never-ending process.
Compared to the convening at the end of October, this convening is likely to be the last convening with all players (European players, etc.).
We will consider the overall direction of development.
We are also considering ways to play in a different way than before.
We will make a decision following checking the condition of the team.
We will check this convening first and then consider the final convening.
Of course, many players coming to this call will be included in the final roster.
/yunhap news