United States, Led by Coach Pochettino, Ranked 15th and Considered a Strong Team
First Time the Full-Strength Squad, Including Overseas-Based Players, Has Been Assembled
Head coach Hong Myungbo of the South Korean national football team expressed his determination to secure both strong performance and results ahead of the team's first away friendly match since qualifying for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup finals.
Hong Myungbo, head coach of the South Korean national football team, is answering questions from the press at a press conference held on the 5th (local time) at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, USA. Photo by Yonhap News
At a pre-match press conference held on the 6th (Korean time) at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, ahead of the friendly against the United States, Hong stated, "It is important to deliver a good performance while achieving results, and to show how well we can execute our prepared tactics against a strong opponent. If we can accomplish all of these, it will be an ideal scenario."
The national team will play its first friendly match of the September A-match period against the United States at this stadium at 6 a.m. on the 7th. After securing a spot in the World Cup finals for the tenth consecutive time through the third round of Asian qualifiers during the June A-match period, the team is now essentially facing its first 'World Cup mock exam.'
Although the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship was held in Korea in July after World Cup qualification was secured, it was not during the official FIFA A-match period, so the squad was composed only of K League and J League players. This is the first time that the full-strength squad, including overseas-based players, has been assembled.
The United States, led by head coach Mauricio Pochettino, is ranked 15th in the FIFA rankings, higher than South Korea at 23rd, and finished as runners-up in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July.
Hong, who also led the national team against the United States in 2014, commented, "The United States was a strong team back then as well, but that match was more about evaluating the abilities of players based in Korea. This time, we are preparing for the World Cup nine months in advance, so it will be a very different experience. We will prepare thoroughly to ensure a good match."
Regarding the team's preparation, he added, "Overall, we have not deviated much from what we have been doing. Some players are facing challenges such as transfers and other difficulties, but as head coach, I have discussed with the players what I can do to support them."
Meanwhile, during this A-match period, midfielder Jens Kastrop of Borussia Monchengladbach, who has a German father and a Korean mother, has joined the men's national team as the first 'overseas-born mixed-race player' in its history, drawing attention. Hong said, "Kastrop has adapted very well to the team, even in a short period of time. We are providing feedback on his tactical movements. Whether he will play in the match will depend on the situation, but I believe he should be given a fair amount of time on the field."
After this match, the national team will move to Nashville, Tennessee, to face Mexico on the 10th.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
