Asian Cup, Klinsmann\s Shortcut to the Semifinals
Asian Cup, Klinsmann"s Shortcut to the Semifinals is "Goal First Before his Legs Give Out"
Korea, which had just two days off, clashed with Australia, which had two more days off, in the round of 16 on the morning of the 3rd.
"Let"s score a goal and finish before our legs give out!"
The Korean national soccer team, led by Coach Jurgen Klinsmann, will play the quarterfinals of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup against Australia at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, at 0:30 a.m. on the 3rd (Korean time).
The biggest variable in the match against Australia, the second critical point in the team"s quest to win the Asian Cup for the first time in 64 years, is the Taegeuk Warriors" "physical strength."
Klinsmann advanced to the quarterfinals after a fierce battle with Saudi Arabia in the round of 16 that lasted 120 minutes, including overtime, and ended in a penalty shootout.
On the other hand, Australia played the round of 16 two days before Korea, and the match ended within 90 minutes.
They won 4-0 against Indonesia, led by coach Shin Tae-yong, and advanced to the quarterfinals.
Based on the time the round of 16 ended, Australia had 122 hours until the quarterfinals, and Korea had only 68 hours and 30 minutes.
Korea has to rest for only two days and then come back to the field to face Australia, who rested for two more days.
In a tournament where all-out competition is required, this difference in rest time is bound to have a very significant impact on the game.
In addition, Klinsmann did not make any significant changes to the player composition from the group stage to the round of 16, so it seems more difficult for key players to regain their lost stamina.
Son Heung-min (Tottenham) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), the core of the attack, played full time in all four games of this tournament.
Therefore, it seems that the game can be played smoothly by scoring as quickly as possible before the players" stamina runs out.
Height is particularly good, but attackers with good speed, such as Son Heung-min, are ideal for effectively targeting the space behind the slow-footed Australian defense.
They need to score before their strength runs out.
Commentator Park Chan-ha said, "Rather than letting the game take a long time, it would be better to see the game in the early stages when the attackers can sprint into the space behind the opponent."
“Do it,” he said.
Commentator Park Moon-seong was wary of Australia"s defensive ability and emphasized the need for the first goal.
He said, "If Australia scores the first goal, they will play a breathtaking defense that is different from Saudi Arabia"s.
If they concede the first goal, it will be very difficult.
Therefore, scoring first is necessary."
Australia"s frontline strikers are evaluated as being somewhat less sharp than other championship candidates.
On the other hand, a solid midfielder along with a well-built defensive line are considered strengths.
Jackson Irvine, who boasts a 189cm, 74kg physique, mainly leads Australia"s attack as a left midfielder.
Commentator Han Jun-hee said, "Australia shakes the opponent with a side play and then throws the ball into the center, confusing the defense with penetration by a well-built striker and an active midfielder, and attacking by exploiting the second ball situation or using air superiority in a set play situation.
“It creates scoring opportunities,” he analyzed.
At the same time, he ordered, "We must not fall into a momentary numerical inferiority on the side.
We must also carefully check the movements of the infiltrating central midfielders."
Commentator Park Chan-ha said, "Because Australia often attacks from the side, especially the left side, there is a possibility that our right defender may not be able to attack well.
I think we need to prepare for this."
Korea is at a disadvantage against Australia with a record of 8 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses.
However, in the last two games, Korea is ahead with one win and one draw.
In the most recent friendly match held in Busan in June 2019, Korea won 1-0.
The last loss to Australia was painful.
In the 2015 Australian Asian Cup final, they lost 1-2 after overtime and had to be satisfied with second place.
At that time, Son Heung-min scored an equalizer in the 45th minute of the second half to level the score at 1-1, sending the game into overtime, but ended up losing and had to shed tears.
In the FIFA rankings, Korea, ranked 23rd, is two places higher than Australia, which ranks 25th.