Klinsmann “will show you how to grow” before the big game
South Korea national soccer team head coach Jürgen Klinsmann has vowed to “keep growing” ahead of the second round of Asian qualifiers for the FIFA Confederations Cup North America 2026. He reiterated that the goal is to win the Asian Cup in Qatar next January.
The ‘Klinsmanns’ kicked off their preparations for the World Cup qualifiers at the Mokdong Stadium in Seoul on Wednesday. South Korea, ranked 24th in the FIFA rankings, will play Singapore (155th) on Sept. 16 and China (79th) on Sept. 21. It will be the first real test for Klinsmann, who has previously played eight A-match trials (3 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses).
“The two second round qualifiers will not be easy at all,” Klinsmann told reporters at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. “There are no easy games in soccer. I expect tough matches.”
He said that the weaker the opponent, the more aggressive they should be from the beginning of the game to make it easier. “When you’re playing a team with a different level of quality or a more defensive team, you have to maintain our attacking rhythm and tempo,” Klinsmann said. “You have to score clearly on your chances. If we don’t, we have to go back and create chances.”
Klinsmann’s team scored a total of 10 goals in a two-game series against Tunisia and Vietnam last month to set the tone. “The team as a whole has grown a lot, especially the younger players,” Klinsmann said, pointing to Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain). “He’s a completely different player now than he was six months ago,” he said, “and I tell the younger players to play with courage and be bold.”
South Korea will be looking to qualify for their 11th consecutive World Cup. The number of qualifying nations for the North and Central American World Cup has increased to 48 (from 32). “It’s not an easy road to the World Cup,” Klinsmann said. We’re going to try to get points as quickly as possible, starting with the qualifiers.”
The World Cup qualifiers will be followed by the Asian Cup. “Our main players are playing in the top European leagues and teams,” Klinsmann says. “We will prepare with a clear goal of winning,” Klinsmann said. “It will motivate the team. It will motivate the team.” 토토사이트
He also believes that younger players should be guaranteed playing time in order to develop Korean soccer. “We did well at the U-20 World Cup in June (fourth place), but I don’t know where they play,” Klinsmann said. “Lee Kang-in played in Spain, and that’s how he got to where he is now.”