Coaches Park Gun-ha and Kim Jin-kyu “Hong Myung-bok” got a first-hand look at the future Taegeuk Warriors.
The U-19 national team defeated Thailand 4-1 in the first round of the Seoul Earth On Us Cup U-19 International Youth Tournament 2024 (Seoul EOU Cup) at Mokdong Sports Complex at 7:30 p.m. on Monday.
This is the second edition of the tournament after last year’s edition. Four teams – South Korea, Argentina, Thailand, and 온라인카지노사이트 Indonesia – will compete in a full league format to determine the eventual winner. In the opening match on the same day, Indonesia defeated Argentina 2-1.South Korea, led by Lee Chang-won, started in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Kim Gyeol (Yiland) was in charge up front, while Jin Jun-seo (Gangwon), Kim Tae-won (Portimonense) and Park Su-bin (Leganes) formed the attacking two. Son Seung-min (Daegu) and Kim Dong-min (Pohang) supported the back line, while Jo In-jung (Jeju), Shim Yeon-won (Daegu), Shin Min-ha (Gangwon), and Lee Gun-hee (Suwon Samsung) formed the defense. Park Sang-young (Daegu) was in goal.
Park Gun-ha and Kim Jin-kyu, the A national team coaches, were in attendance at Mokdong Sports Complex, along with Lee Im-sang, the technical director of the Korea Football Association.
Park Gun-ha and Kim Jin-kyu were officially appointed to the coaching staff to assist Hong Myung-bo on June 16. Park is a veteran coach with experience at Seoul Eland and Suwon Samsung, and was the head coach of the national team during the second qualifying round of the World Cup in June. He also worked with Hong Myung-bo at the London 2012 Olympics and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Kim Jin-kyu is a former national team defender who captained and provided leadership at all levels of the national team and club level during his playing career. Since retiring in 2017, he has held various positions at FC Seoul, including coach, acting head coach, and head of strength and conditioning.
The two coaches, who have also watched K League matches, traveled to the Seoul EOU Cup to check on the U19s. This is part of the strengthening of the link between the A team and the age groups that Hong Myung-bo has emphasized.
“I have learned how much a systematic youth system and active youth development can contribute to the development of the A team and Korean soccer,” Hong said at his inaugural press conference, ”If the tactics used by the A team are used in the age group, there is no need for skill adaptation. Young players can come straight to the A team.”
Hong’s first official appearance in Korea was a practice match with the U-19 national team last month. Although Hong was not present at the game, coaches Park Gun-ha and Kim Jin-kyu were on hand to check the young players’ performance. “I heard it’s not a big deal,” Kim said of Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), who recently suffered a minor thigh injury. He said he’s fine.”
Meanwhile, the game ended in a big win for South Korea. After a dominant start, South Korea took the lead in the 26th minute with a header from Shim Yeon-won and a goal from Jin Jun-seo in first-half stoppage time. Despite conceding a goal in the 11th minute of the second half, the victory was not in question. South Korea added a second goal from Hong Seok-hyun in the 15th minute of the second half and a wedge goal from Kim Myung-joon in the 41st minute to complete the 4-1 victory.
