They have "proper" teamwork for the first time in 10 matches. These are the stories of Kim Min-jae 28, Bayern Munich and Kim Young-kwon 34, Ulsan HD.
Kim Min-jae and Kim Young-kwon were a combination of center backs for the Korean men's national soccer team. The two played together most of the games under former coach Paulo Bento. At the 2022 Qatar World Cup, they were also selected as starters in every game, but their positions have changed since Jürgen Klinsmann took office in February last year.
After the March A-match, Kim's partner is Jung Seung-hyeon 30, Ulsan HD, not Kim Young-kwon. Except for June when he started basic military drills, Kim has teamed up with Jung in five of the six matches from two consecutive A matches that he played since September to November. During this period, Kim was sitting on the bench. Under the Klinsmann regime, the combination of Kim Min-jae and Jung Seung-hyun seemed to solidify.
Recently, signs of "change" have been detected. At an exhibition match against Iraq held at New York University Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, Kim and Kim stood on the ground side by side. Having been given the chance to play as a starting player for the first time in nine games since a match against Uruguay in March last year, Kim matched with Kim for about 45 minutes at the start of the second half.
During the match against Vietnam in October last year, Kim Young-kwon was substituted and played for about 20 minutes with Kim Min-jae. It is the first time in 10 games that the two have "properly" teamed up on the ground since the match against Uruguay.
Kim Young-kwon wore the captain's armband instead of Son Heung-min, who was waiting in the bench. He displayed stable operation capability as a veteran by delivering a long pass to the front. On the other hand, Jung Seung-hyeon, who started as a starter, felt uneasy. He was outpaced by the speed of the Iraqi striker in the first minute of the first half, giving up a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper. Kim Seung-gyu overcame the crisis by making a good defense. In the 41st minute, he failed to properly spot the falling point of the opponent's long pass, giving up space behind him.
At the start of the second half, Clinton excluded Jung Seung-hyeon and added Kim Min-jae. Recently, the coach considered removing Kim Young-kwon and adding Jung Seung-hyun, but Clinton reviewed the "Kim Min-jae and Kim Young-kwon" combination.
After Kim Min-jae was put in, the rear defense regained stability. Kim Min-jae made a quick judgment and blocked the opponent's penetration into the back space in advance. When the rear was pierced, he chased to the end and cleared it. Kim Min-jae's performance also helped Kim Young-kwon stay in his position until the end of the second half. 사설토토
Now, Klinsmann's choice is the only one left. The important thing for Klinsmann, who will meet Jordan and Malaysia starting from Bahrain, is not to lose any points in advance. Chances are high that the opponent team will drop its line against Korea, which has a super-luxury offensive line. If the team gives up the first goal, the game could become more difficult. While the team has to play based on stabilizing defense, it remains to be seen whether there will be any changes in its defense line.
Klinsmann will enter Doha, the land of the showdown, on the 10th and begin his journey at the Asian Cup, starting with the match against Bahrain on the 15th.
