The National Football Team lost to South Korea by three goals in the World Cup preliminaries, but its confidence increased – Sports – China Engineering Network

Original title: The National Football League lost to South Korea by three goals in the World Cup preliminaries, but its confidence increased instead

China News Service, Shenzhen, November 22 (Reporter Bian Liqun) The score on the big screen was finally fixed at a cold 0:3. In the first home game of the US-Canada-Mexico World Cup qualifiers on the evening of the 21st, the national football team lost to the South Korean team.

Regarding the national football team, there was no verbal criticism after the game, not too much cynicism, but more encouragement and affirmation of the team’s efforts. This was a scene that had not been seen before. Chinese football, which has returned to rationality and reality, does not only value results. This is not an improvement.

As far as the process is concerned, facing the South Korean team, which is much stronger than itself, the national football team got the idea right, created many threats to their opponents, and showed great energy. This is also an improvement.

Although the result was a defeat, Chinese football’s confidence in moving forward has actually increased.

Live scoreboard.Photo by reporter Bian Liqun

Give all your strength

After the national football team lost to the South Korean team, the hashtag “National Football Team Tried Their Best” quickly topped the trending searches on social media.

The national football team, ranked 79th in the world, faces the South Korean team, ranked 24th in the world. The huge gap in strength between the two teams can be seen from the ranking alone.

Social media screenshots.

Before the game, reporters had chatted with fans of the Korean team. They bluntly said that this was the best national team in Korean history.

After the game, South Korea coach Klinsmann also expressed emotion that his team has many players with offensive talents, such as Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Gang-in, and Kim Min-jae on the defense line.

Compared with the current Chinese men’s football team, which is in decline, it always feels like “showing off wealth” both inside and outside the words.

Klinsmann (left) at the post-match press conference. Photographed by reporter Bian Liqun

Facing these players who have proven themselves in the five major European leagues, the national football team played “neither humble nor arrogant”, and the opening momentum was very strong. Unfortunately, the speed of switching from defense to offense was still too slow, and they failed to grasp the Korean team’s unstable foothold. Chance.

As the game progressed, the Korean team’s advantage in strength became more and more obvious. But even if the situation was passive, the national football team still created some absolute opportunities, but it was a pity that they failed to seize them.

Tan Long regrets missing the opportunity. Photo by reporter Tomita

In addition, several of the referee’s decisions in this game, including the penalty kick won by the South Korean team, are questionable. The penalty kick occurred in the 11th minute of the game. If the Chinese team concedes the ball later and the Korean team presses harder and harder for three points, the national football team may have some opportunities.

For the national football team’s strategy of setting up three central defenders and steadily counterattacking, conceding the ball too early is fatal. But this is football, this is part of the game, there are no ifs.

Klinsmann said after the game that the match against the Chinese team was difficult. “The Chinese team always tries to score goals, even when they are behind. Once the Chinese team scores, the fans will make a lot of noise and put a lot of pressure on us. Fortunately, we scored the second goal in the first half. “

There is a certain politeness in this statement, but as far as the game is concerned, the national football team did create some trouble for the opponent, rather than surrendering early and being unable to parry.

Tan Long and Kim Min-jae opposite reporter Tomita photo

enjoy the game

During the match between the national football team and the South Korean team, a total of 39,969 spectators were present to watch the live broadcast. But the atmosphere and noise created by the fans is much higher than what this number reflects, especially at the beginning when the morale of the national football team is at its peak.

For Chinese football, which has not been able to reach the World Cup again since 2002, the World Cup preliminaries can also be called the “World Cup” of the national football team. After all, this is the highest level event this team has been able to participate in for a long time. For fans, watching such a game can be regarded as enjoyment.

In this level of competition, the national football team has the opportunity to compete with World Cup-level teams such as South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Saudi Arabia. By playing against strong teams, Chinese football can find out how far behind it is and further clarify the direction of future development.

Wei Shihao was photographed by reporter Tomita during the game

After the game, national football coach Jankovic said frankly: “Even if the South Korean team reaches the World Cup semi-finals, it will not surprise anyone.”

This statement may be a bit exaggerated, or perhaps from the coach’s perspective, it is due to the strength of the “strongest” Korean team in history.

Judging from the Qatar World Cup results alone, the South Korean team successfully broke through the group and reached the top 16. In terms of strength comparison, the score of 3:0 is the strength gap between Chinese football and the teams qualifying for the World Cup group.

Wu Xi (right) was photographed by reporter Tomita during the game

Confidence

After losing to the South Korean team, the national football team also ended its competition mission in 2023. The next game will not be until January next year, when it will face the Tajikistan team in the first round of the Asian Cup group stage.

From the 2:1 victory over Thailand in the away game to the 0:3 loss to South Korea, overall, the national football team is still in a process of progress, and it has also enhanced its confidence in fighting tough battles and fighting against strong opponents. This will be beneficial for the national football team to face the Singapore team in the future, as well as the key home game against the Thai team in the second cycle.

Jankovic also believes that today’s national football team is on the right track, and the previous away game against Thailand is a footnote.

Jankovic (left) photographed by reporter Bian Liqun at the post-match press conference

“In this game against the South Korean team, we said we would play with a ‘big heart’, and we did it. We played some coordination and dared to control the ball and press in positional battles. The 0:3 result is painful, but we will learn from it. Learn a lesson and keep doing your best.”

“Our goal has been set very early, which is to go all out to compete in the World Cup. The team still has problems that need to be corrected in the future, and some aspects can be solved in the Asian Cup. We will go all out to prepare for the Asian Cup, and the team will be 100% by then. Be ready,” Jankovic said.