1-0 win against Saudi Arabia in an exhibition match
First win in six games since inauguration
Only one goal on nine shots on target
Shaky defensive organization
The game was won, but it was no laughing matter, as the coach, who has been heavily criticized for his ‘remote management’, insisted on staying abroad.
South Korea’s national soccer team won a 1-0 friendly against Saudi Arabia at St. James’ Park in Newcastle, England, on Wednesday (Feb. 13), thanks to a header from Cho Kyu-sung (Meatwillan) in the 32nd minute. It was the first win in six matches for the South Koreans, who hadn’t won since Jürgen Klinsmann took charge of the national team in February with three draws and two losses.
Led by Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur), South Korea threatened the Saudis on numerous occasions with the likes of Cho Kyu-sung, Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz). South Korea outshot the Saudis 18-7 on the day, including 9-2 in shots on goal, but only one goal was scored. In the 32nd minute, Cho Kyu-sung took advantage of a defensive mistake and rattled the net with a header.
Those who watched the game were more impressed with the defensive organization than the offense. In the second half, the players’ stamina waned, giving the Saudi attackers several chances.
With the victory, Korean soccer can breathe a sigh of relief. However, there are still question marks in terms of content. Unlike his predecessor, Paulo Bento, who was known for his ‘build-up football’ based on possession, Klinsmann has been criticized for not having a clear coaching philosophy or color scheme.바카라사이트
Klinsmann has only been in South Korea for a little over two months, sparking controversy over his remote management of the national team. Klinsmann had planned to stay in Europe after the A-Match and arrive in South Korea later this month, but due to the bad publicity, he changed his plans to arrive in South Korea on the 14th to inspect the K League players.