Facing the boos, protests and demands for his resignation from fans upon his return to Korea, coach Jurgen Klinsmann smiled brightly and emphasized that his team was on the right track.
“South Korea is on the right track”
Late on February 8 (local time), coach Klinsmann and his team of players playing in the K-League returned to Korea, ending their journey at the 2023 Asian Cup. According to Yonhap news agency, about 300 fans were present at Incheon International Airport to wait for the Kim Chi team. However, security at the airport was tightened when a large number of fans booed, protested and demanded coach Klinsmann's resignation after failing to help Korea win the 2023 Asian Cup.
Criticism mounted when Klinsmann’s team unexpectedly lost to Jordan, who were ranked 58 places below them in the FIFA rankings, in the semi-finals. Banners reading “Klinsmann! Go home!” were held aloft as the German coach emerged from the airport exit. Hooligans even threw objects at members of his entourage.
Interviewed at the airport, a reporter asked: "Do you think you are qualified to continue leading the national team?" Coach Klinsmann smiled and said: "Good question" and continued: "I also want to win this tournament like all of you. Jordan was a much better team in the semi-finals, and completely deserved to advance to the final. I don't think I can say that reaching the semi-finals is a failure."
Coach Klinsmann met with the leaders of the Korea Football Association (KFA) on the flight back to Korea, to share the positive and negative things that Korea achieved at the 2023 Asian Cup, thereby having the best preparation for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers returning next March.
“Before losing to Jordan, South Korea had gone 13 games unbeaten, showing positive signs at the 2023 Asian Cup. I think happiness and sadness are also part of football. Surely many people will be happy if we win the round of 16 or the quarter-finals, but if we are eliminated, public opinion will change and there will be negative and extreme comments. The whole team is in the process of development. There are some new things that we have discovered as we have grown over the past year. I want to say that we are looking forward to the 2026 World Cup by adding young players to the team. The national team is on the right track,” he stressed.
Future commitment for star Son Heung-min
After the defeat in the semi-finals of the 2023 Asian Cup, captain Son Heung-min said: "I think I need to think about whether I can play for the national team in the future." Son's sharing can be considered a "general statement" in the sense that no player has a guaranteed place in Klinsmann's squad and the future cannot be guaranteed. However, there is also analysis that the Tottenham star is considering retiring from the national team.
Regarding this, coach Klinsmann replied: "Son is still the captain and leader of the team. Of course, he will join the national team as captain in March."
“Son Heung-min must have dreamed of bringing the Asian Cup title to Korea. But I think it was a difficult moment emotionally because he didn’t achieve his goal. Now, we have to set another goal. I hope we can prepare well and create a new goal together,” he added.
Next March, Korea will return to the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup with two matches against Thailand. With 6 points after 2 matches and a superior level, Son Heung-min and his teammates are expected to have no difficulty winning and advancing soon.
HUU THANH
Source
Comment (0)