Coach Bento Separated from Players, Watching Match from Portuguese Stands

After receiving a red card for protesting to the referee following the second group stage match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, South Korea national football team coach Paulo Bento is waiting for the start of the Group H third match between South Korea and Portugal at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on the 2nd (local time) from the VIP seats.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Coach Paulo Bento will watch the match against Portugal from the stands instead of the bench.

Korea will face Portugal in the final Group H third match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stage at 0:00 on the 3rd (Korea time) at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Korea is currently 3rd in the group with 1 draw and 1 loss (1 point). To advance to the round of 16, Korea must defeat Portugal and also rely on the result of the Uruguay-Ghana match happening at the same time.

Coach Bento received a red card after protesting to referee Anthony Taylor following the second match against Ghana on the 28th of last month. Because of this, Coach Bento is not allowed to sit on the bench.

According to FIFA regulations, a sent-off coach cannot sit on the bench or have contact with the players. Communication with the bench by any means, including radio communication devices, is prohibited. It is also impossible for Coach Bento to give instructions wirelessly or enter the locker room during halftime.

Therefore, Coach Bento plans to watch the match from the VIP seats arranged in the stands. It is known that a FIFA official will closely monitor Coach Bento.

Before the match started, Coach Bento appeared in the stands wearing black horn-rimmed glasses. He was seen waiting for the match while talking with a Korea Football Association staff member.

With Coach Bento watching from the stands, assistant coach S?rgio Costa will take charge and lead the team during the match against Portugal.

At the official press conference the day before, Coach Bento said, "Even if I am not on the bench, I have worked with the players for four years and have been with the coaches, so the players will not be greatly affected," and added, "I believe there are many people who will fill my position."