‘Colorless.’
Jürgen Klinsmann, who failed to win his debut as South Korea’s head coach as the team continued to play unknown football against Wales, could only repeat the words “watch the young players grow” and “generational change process” when asked about the tactics and colors he wants to pursue.
“They played a five-back and we had trouble breaking them down,” Klinsmann said after the 0-0 draw with Wales in an A-match trial at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, on Monday morning (June 8). “It’s important to see how the younger players grow and work with seniors like Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae. We are constantly observing them.”
South Korea sent out all of its top European strikers, including captain Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Cho Kyu-sung (Mitwylan), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) and Hong Hyun-seok (Hent), but were held to a 0-0 draw after a frustrating first and second half. Son Heung-min’s right-footed mid-range shot in the first half was the only shot on target.
Klinsmann said, “Lee Kang-in (out with injury) is a very talented and creative player. When you play a game like today, where they play five at the back and it’s hard to break them down, you need creative players,” Klinsmann said, adding that his absence was painful.
Despite fielding a jet-lagged European side, Klinsmann was once again unable to deploy a colorful tactic. Five games without a win (three draws and two losses) since his appointment. This is the first time a foreign coach has gone so long without a win at the helm of the Korean A team. Heading into the Wales match, Klinsmann’s credibility has been shaken by his frequent traveling and attendance controversies, and the team’s inability to show a different kind of competitiveness.
Klinsmann travels to Newcastle, England, to face Saudi Arabia on Nov. 13 in the second of two European A matches.
Here’s a one-on-one with Klinsmann
- How do you feel about the match?
First of all, I want to thank the Welsh Football Association for inviting us. It was a very difficult game. Both teams were strict and it was difficult to come out and play the way we prepared. We didn’t create many chances. It was an even game and a draw was fair. They played five at the back and it was difficult to break them down. Wales were organized and we can see how they will do against similar teams in the future. Wales have a game against Latvia next and I hope they have a good game.
- What kind of football did you want to show?
We aim to continue to grow. As you can see, we had some young players on the pitch. We have to see how they develop. It’s important to play games and see how they perform. On the road to the Asian Cup (next January), it will be important to restructure, find new young players and see how they team up with the existing seniors and leaders like Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung and Kim Min-jae. There are a lot of changes compared to March. Younger players have joined the team. It will be important to continue to develop them and see how they perform when they play.
- You played Son Heung-min in the center of the second line, how does that fit in with Lee Kang-in’s absence?
Lee Kang-in is a very talented and creative player. It’s a shame he’s not with us because he’s amazing on the field. When you play a game like today, where the opponent plays five at the back and it’s hard to break down, you need a creative player. I think Lee Kang-in is proving how good he is at PSG. We made changes today (without him), and Lee Sun-min made his debut (in midfield). Yang Hyun-joon also came on towards the end. It will be important to see how these players integrate into the national team and grow with the game. Today was difficult because Wales came out with a defensive tactic, (the strikers) didn’t get much of the ball, and it was difficult on the other end, but I’m happy with it. The new players came in and did a good job.
No matter where he is, whether it’s in the center, on the flank or as a No. 10, he makes two or three defenders follow him. Wherever he plays, he will make it difficult for the opponent. Today, he started in the center, but he tried to create space for himself and came down to receive. There were times when he got into good shooting position. It was a difficult game, but I’m happy with his performance.온라인바카
- As for the fact that the players were back-passing and the colors that Klinsmann was aiming for didn’t come out?
Of course, it would have been nice to have a lot of forward passes and an aggressive passing line. But the opponent was very tight and there wasn’t much space. We had to turn the ball around to find passing options, such as crosses. Depending on how they play, we have to change. Today, I think overall their game plan made it difficult for us.
(Regarding color), I would say it’s a process, and we definitely need it. It’s a good opportunity to check the players for the World Cup qualifiers and the Asian Cup in Qatar next January. We have one game left (in September) and two in October. We have three games (before the World Cup qualifiers) to check the players and see if they can perform for the national team. In the five games I’ve been here (since taking over), I’ve made quite a few observations and analyzed the players carefully. If you look at the national team, there is a generational change between big tournaments, especially between World Cups. We are going through that process.