The Qatar Asian Cup opens on the 12th of next month and the final list including Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in is announced.
Korean soccer coach Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany) promised to regain the top spot for the first time in 64 years at the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, which will begin in Qatar on the 12th of next month.
At 11 am on the 28th at CGV in Yongsan-gu, Coach Klinsmann announced the final list of 26 players who participated in the Asian Cup, including Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich).
Korea has not reached the top of the Asian Cup since the second tournament in 1960. Aiming to regain the top spot in Asia for the first time in 64 years.
Coach Klinsmann said at a press conference, “I'm looking forward to (the Asian Cup). looking forward. “It's always a special feeling to announce the list before a big competition,” he said. “I've been saying it for months, but my goal is clear. When you look at the players' eyes, you can see how desperate they are to win. “My goal is to achieve good results and give a great gift to my fans,” he said.
Coach Klinsmann, who took the helm in March of this year, made almost no changes to the player framework he used in the A-match warm-up matches. Among the 26 players, Kim Joo-sung (Seoul), Kim Ji-soo (Brentford), and Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic) are the most notable selections.
Coach Klinsmann said, “I was lucky enough to watch all of Korea's games at last year's World Cup in Qatar. “I saw that there were many players of a very high level,” he said.
He added, “A lot of players have grown this year. What I want to talk about the most is Lee Kang-in. He is a player with special talent, but he moved to PSG and grew while playing in games. It can be said that Hwang Hee-chan has also shown clear growth. “He is doing well with his team.”
Also, “Son Heung-min is one of the best players in the world. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) left Tottenham, but grew further after taking over as captain. I hope that all players will continue the good performance they showed on their teams to the national team. “I hope to show growth and development,” he added.
Hwang Ui-jo (Norwich City), who was accused of illegal filming, was not selected as decided by the ethics committee of the Korea Football Association. He decided not to select until the suspicions were cleared.
Coach Klinsmann said, “The number of starters is set, and there are players who cannot be selected even if they want to. “I feel sorry and heartbroken, but I have to fulfill my role as a director,” he said. “There are also external factors. As is the case with Hwang Ui-jo, we have not heard any news about Son Jun-ho. Outside of soccer, there were difficulties because there were no decisions we could make. “I couldn't tell what was going on, so I only thought about soccer,” he said.
He continued, “I want to say that the most important thing in the final list is the framework. Starting with center back, there is Kim Min-jae. He received a defensive award in Italy, which is not an easy task. Looking at this season, he has grown quite a lot. He said, “He has grown into an indispensable leader on the national soccer team.”
“We have many experienced midfielders, and up front we have Hwang Hee-chan and Lee Kang-in, who is starting to bloom. “We have Son Heung-min, one of the best players in the world,” he said. “Because there are many resources, it is important how to solve the final puzzle. “I think Korea can be said to be a contender for the championship because it has players like these,” he added.
Since the 26th, 16 players, mainly domestic players, have been training indoors at a hotel in Seoul. He will leave for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), a field training camp, on January 2nd next year. The overseas group is scheduled to join in Abu Dhabi on the 3rd.
Coach Klinsmann said, “It is important that the players play well until the end without injury and join the team. Our players are performing well with their teams and in each major league. “I am positive because I am receiving good feelings and good energy,” he said.
He continued, “I think 64 years is too long for Korea. (To win) you will also have to be lucky. Timing is important in big competitions. “If the players do well without injury and continue with the national team, this will be an opportunity to achieve a championship that has not been seen in 64 years,” he added.
Japan, Australia, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Qatar were mentioned as contenders for the championship.
He said, “I would like to say that it is by no means an easy opponent. In particular, Japan is Korea and my rival. “(If we meet) it will be a special game,” he said. “Like the Germany-Netherlands and Germany-England games when I coached the German national team, and the U.S.-Mexico games when I was in the U.S., rivalry matches are special, anticipated, and awaited.” He said.
He continued, “I will meet Japan someday. I hope to see you in the finals. “We are constantly watching and analyzing,” he said. “In the end, we are important. Looking at the condition, condition, and performance of the players, I think there is a good chance of winning. “This is a team that can win,” he said, expressing confidence.
Korea, located in Group E of the group stage, will face Bahrain (15th), Jordan (20th), and Malaysia (25th) in order.
Coach Klinsmann said, “We dispatched staff and scouts to the three teams' games to watch. Information on the three teams was collected. “We are continuously watching,” he said. “I think our homework on the three teams in the group stage has been completed.”
Lastly, “I have faith that I can represent Korea in competitions and achieve good results by representing Korea. The reason I keep saying winning words is not because I am over confident. “It's possible because there are really good players and players who can compete in special competitions,” he said. “It's an honor to be together.” I will go with good players and come back with a win. It will be a great help if you come to Qatar. “I would be grateful if you could support us with one heart and one mind,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the list announcement event, 64 soccer fans were invited to represent the challenge for the first championship in 64 years. 토토사이트
