In the end, you have to run.
Kim Eun-joong-ho has completed a great journey. The U-20 national team led by coach Kim Eun-joong lost 1-3 in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup 3rd-4th place match against Israel held at La Plata Stadium in La Plata, Argentina on the 12th (Korean time). . Finished the tournament in 4th place. ‘Captain’ Seung-Won Lee (Gangwon FC) tied the score 1-1 with a penalty kick, but in the 31st and 40th minutes of the second half, Anan Kaleyly scored consecutive goals and collapsed.메이저놀이터
Although he was unable to reap the ‘beauty of the end’, Kim Eun-joong’s progress in this tournament is positive. He didn’t have any star players, but he wrote an anti-war drama as ‘one team’. Manager Kim Eun-joong promoted a high-quality ‘defense first, then counterattack’ strategy and detailed leadership. Lee Seung-won, who recorded 3 goals and 4 assists, won the Bronze Ball and received the third FIFA competition individual award as a Korean player. Thanks to Kim Eun-joong’s good performance, Korean soccer advanced to the semifinals in two consecutive U-20 World Cups. Four years ago, he won the runner-up, the best ever in Poland.
In Korean soccer, which surprised the world by reaching the semi-finals at the 1983 Mexico Tournament, ‘semifinal’ was the same word as ‘myth’. However, by making the results in the last competition and this competition, the ‘4’ has become a ‘reality’. There are voices that leading soccer powerhouses do not pour 100% into the U-20 World Cup, but even in the last tournament, ‘Monster’ Elling Holland (Norway) and ‘Serie A MVP’ Raphael Leang (Portugal) participated in the U-20 World Cup. participated In these competitions, Korean soccer proved its international competitiveness.
Now, the homework of Korean football is to make those who stood out in the U-20 World Cup into the ‘golden generation’. Portugal, which had been sinking after finishing third in the 1966 World Cup, won the 1989 and 1991 Youth World Cups (predecessor of the U-20 World Cup) in succession, creating a ‘golden generation’. This golden generation performed well at Euro 2000, ushering in a golden age for Portuguese football. Korean football, which reached the semifinals in two consecutive tournaments, has also been verified for its talent. If they grow as expected, they can create a new golden generation.
However, talent does not guarantee success. Unfortunately, Korea could not connect the achievements of the national team by age group to the A national team. The Polish runner-up generation is a representative example. At that time, ‘Golden Boy’ Lee Kang-in (Mallorca) was the only member who made it to Team A. Um Won-sang (Ulsan Hyundai) and Kim Joo-seong (FC Seoul) are on the edge of the A national team, but they have not been able to secure a place. There are many players who have not been able to establish themselves even in their own team.
Experts say that after the U-20 World Cup is more important. In order to continue this momentum, the performance of the affiliated team is absolutely essential. You have to play on your own team to be named on the Olympic team and the A team. Former Olympic team coach Kim Hak-beom said, “Athletes in this age group have many ups and downs. Kang Seong-jin (Seoul), who was good at the Asian Cup, was sluggish, and Lee Yeong-joon (Kim Cheon) did well. In the end, it is important to build an identity by playing steadily in the team. important,” he said. Han Joon-hee, vice president of the Korea Football Association, said, “Now players have to prove their competitiveness in their clubs.” Coach Jung Jeong-yong, who wrote the Polish myth four years ago, said, “In the end, it’s an experience. If possible, it’s good to go abroad. After the Poland tournament, I felt sorry for this part. After all, I think the mandatory participation clause under the age of 22 is important. K League 1, 2 to 20 The reality is that it is not easy for three players to play. In the end, the players have to overcome with their skills.”
Athletes Kim Eun-joong are a generation connected to the Paris Olympics. Members of the 2009 tournament, which can be called the golden generation planned for the first time in Korean soccer, settled down in the A national team by winning the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Hwang Seon-hong, coach of the Olympic team, and Kim Eun-joong, coach of the Olympic team, communicate and exchange frequently. In addition, Jurgen Klinsmann, coach of the national team A, is also very interested in young players, suggesting that he can select a player for the U-20 national team. If you prove your ability through consistent participation, you can go up to the senior national team. In the end, the first step in the birth of the golden generation is how you will look on your team.