With Overwhelming Speed, Bento Team Surpasses 'Moraebaram' - 'Now It's the World Stage'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Our national soccer team has overcome the 'sandstorm' and is now stepping onto the world stage. Although they did not finish on a high note, losing 0-1 to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the final match, the powerful soccer skills displayed in the previous nine games were outstanding among all World Cup final qualifiers in history.

Our team finished second in Group A of the Qatar World Cup final qualifiers after the away match against the UAE on the 30th. They recorded 7 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, earning 23 points in 10 matches. They scored 13 goals and conceded 3. Among the six countries in Group A, they had the second-highest number of goals scored after Iran (15 goals) and the fewest goals conceded.

Initially, there were many concerns about being grouped with Middle Eastern teams and playing away matches, but the Bento-led team dispelled those worries. From the middle of the qualifiers, they quickly established a two-strong system with Iran and sailed smoothly.

The biggest driving force was the European-based players. Comparing the situation of the national team during the final qualifiers for the Russia World Cup four years ago, when qualification was uncertain until the end, the biggest difference is the increased number of players active in Europe. Coach Paulo Bento kept the player pool narrow. Even so, the players harmonized organically and played well.

In every match, 6 to 7 of the 10 field players excluding the goalkeeper were players active in Europe. The attacking line-up, including captain Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Hwang Ui-jo (Bordeaux), and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), was considered among the best in Asia. Kim Min-jae (Fenerbah?e) anchored the defense well.

With more players active in Europe, the game speed changed most noticeably. Former coach Kim Ho said, "If you play in Europe, you must control the game tempo in Asia." Our players executed this perfectly. Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan on the wings shook the opposing defense with their speed, and midfielders like Lee Jae-sung and Hwang In-beom attracted attention with their quick forward passes.

The build-up soccer style that Coach Bento aimed for was thus sharp. Unlike the previous foreign coach Uli Stielike, who positioned fullbacks and midfielders wide to reduce speed and attack with a stable posture, Bento’s team narrowed spaces and lines, creating scoring chances with quick ball distribution from the midfield, achieving good results. However, as seen in the last match against the UAE, when the defense wavered and faced strong pressure, the game did not go well, revealing a weakness that must be avoided in the World Cup finals.

Now, Bento’s team is stepping onto the world stage. They must compete with stronger world soccer powers that boast overwhelming speed and create space through intense pressing with emerging young attackers. It is clear that no match will be easy, regardless of the opponent.

The opponent will be decided at the World Cup group draw held at 1 a.m. on the 2nd of next month in Doha, Qatar. Our country (ranked 29th) was placed in Pot 3 for the draw based on FIFA rankings, along with Senegal, Poland, Japan, and Iran. Depending on the draw, there is a high possibility of being grouped with two European teams and one team from South America or Africa, or one team each from Europe and South America along with one African team.