Klinsmann on the verge of back-to-back A-matches
Senior Kim Jin-soo on his responsibilities
“I will do what I can”
“I will do what I can.”
Kim Jin-soo (31, North Korea), a veteran defender on the national soccer team led by coach Jürgen Klinsmann, said he feels a sense of responsibility as a senior member of the team.
“Now that we don’t have a few seniors, I know what I need to do on the field and when I’m not on the field,” he told reporters at the National Football Training Center (NFC) in Paju, South Korea, on Nov. 11.
Kim Jin-soo, who has been in charge of the national team’s left defense for 10 years, starting with the 2013 East Asian Cup, said of the controversy surrounding Klinsmann, “Many people criticized him from the outside, but inside, the players don’t doubt and trust each other well.”
Regarding the team’s poor record (1 win, 3 draws, 2 losses) since Klinsmann’s arrival, Kim pointed out that “until now, it was a result of our lack of success on the field.”
“If we can change that, we will be well prepared for next year’s Asian Cup in Qatar and the second round of qualifying for the 2026 North and Central American World Cup next month.”
Klinsmann’s side picked up their first win in six matches against Saudi Arabia last month, but they were plagued by defensive falterings, including poor passing and fitness issues in key players.
For Kim Jin-soo, who has been called up by Klinsmann again after recovering from injury, there is a lot on his shoulders. Moreover, he hasn’t completely shaken off the after-effects of his injury.
“I’m still a little scared to head,” Kim said. I’m always in a position to head and contest, so I’m worried about getting hit in the face with an elbow or a ball,” he said cautiously.
Kim started at left fullback in a friendly against El Salvador in June, but suffered an injury (orbital fracture) after colliding with Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) in the first half.
Kim Tae-hwan, the oldest defender in the squad
“We can win by conceding fewer goals”
“I haven’t had a one-on-one meeting with the coach yet, but as a defender, I think we can win by reducing our goals,” said defender Kim Tae-hwan (34-Ulsan), the ‘oldest’ member of the national team.
The Klinsmanns will face Tunisia at 8 p.m. on Sept. 13 at Seoul World Cup Stadium and Vietnam at 8 p.m. on Sept. 17 at Suwon World Cup Stadium.카지노
“My biggest motivation is to play for the national team until I hang up my soccer boots,” Kim said, adding, “I will continue to challenge myself and take good care of my body until the day I retire.”
“I’m aiming to join the next call-up as soon as possible, rather than the Asian Cup next year. If I keep getting called up to the national team, I will naturally be able to play in the Asian Cup.”