3:0 An iron defense that is as valuable as a complete victory, and a thumbs up for performance beyond what Hong Myung-bo prepared!
Jul 07, 2025
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Team A, led by head coach Hong, won the first match of the 2025 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship (hereinafter referred to as the East Asian Cup) against China 3-0 at Mir Stadium in Yongin on the 7th. Hong Myung-bo, who formed the team without European leagues, showed perfect performance by utilizing lineups and tactics that were not used during the third qualifying round.
South Korea produced a fantastic winning goal scene in the 8th minute of the first half when Lee Dong-kyung (Kim Cheon Sang-mu) curled with his left foot and slotted into the upper left corner of the Chinese net. In the 21st minute of the first half, Joo Min-kyu (Daejeon Hana) connected a long cross from the left side by Lee Tae-seok (Pohang) with a header to run 2-0. Since then, the economic trend has been one-sided. In the 11th minute of the second half, center back Kim Joo-sung (FC Seoul) scored a decisive goal. The game was tilted early, but South Korea pressured China by producing scenes that were nothing short of a goal several times.
Coach Hong said after the game, `I think I did much better than I prepared. "I think Lee Dong-kyung made a great left-footed goal and easily solved the game." Then "I think the defense's choice of attack route was very good. Park Seung-wook on the right made a mistake or two, but he corrected it immediately and switched to Lee Tae-seok on the left to create a chance"There were some patterns prepared after the call, but the players' concentration was very good. It's more difficult than a fullback coming in, but I think both the ball ration and conversion of the three defenders were good."
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▶I want to say that I will win to our team who won today. I think I did much better than I prepared. In some of the second half of the offense, if they had made a better judgment, they could have made a better scene, but I think it is a part that needs to grow in the future. It seems that Lee Dong-kyung was able to easily solve the game by making a wonderful left-footed goal. Joo Min-gyu also did his part. There was a better chance in the second half, but I think the failure to make use of the score is a part that needs to be improved in the future.
-Unlike the third qualifying round, he used experimental tactics. To be specific.
▶The most different aspect from the third qualifying round was defense. I've been using a variant back three, but today I'm focusing on the traditional three-back role. I think it was very good when it came to choosing the offensive route. Park Seung-wook on the right made one or two mistakes, but he corrected them immediately and switched to Lee Tae-seok on the left to create a chance. After the call-up, there were some patterns that I prepared, but the players' concentration was very good. Three-back tactics may have difficulties in deployment and operation compared to four-backs, but I think the three defenders' ball distribution and conversion were both good today.
-Will the three-back be Plan B preparing for the World Cup or Plan A.
▶I have a feeling of being hasty, but it could be Plan A or B. I think how good our players are in preparation for the World Cup in a year and how much they can play in the hot weather are much more important than tactics and strategies. Of course, it is too early to determine which of the back three players will enter defensively and aggressively, but I think this is also a plan we have to prepare very much.
-All five substitute players in the second half made their debuts in the national team, so how do you evaluate it.
▶It was his debut in the national team and they were young players. Although he has good skills, I think he must have felt that it is not easy for the national team to make its A-match debut. He must have felt that the experience of the national team is precious. The same goes for the next game. It is preparing young players to participate. There aren't that many warm-up matches in the future, but I'm going to keep a good form in the league and observe new players. The players who came into the team at this point have no doubt that the players who show the best form and skills are the best. I think it's an A match that you must have felt a lot on your own. There have been a few mistakes, but I think we will grow through this game.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
