Asian Cup Klinsmann “The Important Thing is Confidence… Extend your Stay Until the Final”
Warning: “Beware of talented Saudi strikers”
“Please trust me.
Please quickly extend the hotel stay until the finals.”
Jurgen Klinsmann, coach of the Korean national soccer team, is still confident of winning the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup. 안전놀이터
On the morning of the 27th (local time), the Klinsmann trained in preparation for the round of 16 match with Saudi Arabia at Al Egla Training Center near Doha, Qatar.
It was the first training held since the third group match against Malaysia on the 25th.
The national team took a complete rest on the 26th.
After the Malaysia game, voices criticizing Klinsmann's performance grew louder.
The national team gave up as many as 6 goals in the group stage, recording only 1 win and 2 draws.
The 3-3 draw with Malaysia, ranked 130th in the FIFA rankings, was a shocking result.
Even before this tournament, Coach Klinsmann had been shouting to reporters and Red Devils visiting Doha to “reserve your hotel until the final.”
On this day, when Coach Klinsmann met with reporters prior to training, a reporter asked, ‘We need to extend our stay, but is it really okay to make reservations until the finals?’
Then Coach Klinsmann smiled brightly and said emphatically, “Extend it quickly.”
He continued, "The important thing is confidence.
We came here to win, we have clear goals, and we believe in ourselves."
“Let’s go together until the end,” he said.
He also said, "If we don't win when the competition ends, you can criticize us.
It's my job to endure that," he said, "but for now, please believe in us and support us."
Coach Klinsmann said of the defense, which appeared more unstable as the game went on, "I thought a lot about how we could improve it, and I also talked to the players."
At the same time, he again expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision of the Malaysian referee.
At the press conference immediately after the game, he claimed that an incorrect decision was made in the two goals conceded, including Seol Young-woo (Ulsan)'s penalty kick contribution.
Coach Klinsmann said, "2 of the 3 goals conceded leaves much to be desired in the referee's decision.
We believe that the penalty kick taken by Malaysia is not actually a scene where a penalty kick should be awarded."
Coach Klinsmann analyzed Saudi Arabia's strength with the coaches the day before.
Saudi Arabia is led by Coach Roberto Mancini, a 'master' who coached Manchester City (England) and the Italian national team.
Coach Klinsmann cautioned, saying, "Saudi Arabia's offensive line is very good at changing positions freely.
I think we need to be careful about attackers with good individual skills."
Education City Stadium, where the round of 16 will be held, is expected to create an atmosphere similar to Saudi Arabia's home stadium.
Coach Klinsmann said, "30,000 Saudi fans will gather at the stadium.
The atmosphere will likely be unfavorable for us," adding, "But this is also part of soccer.
We will prepare well."
He continued by emphasizing, "If a tournament is decided by a single match, you are eliminated.
From now on, each game is a final."