"Lee Kang-in 22, PSG, who has become special, Hwang Hee-chan 27, Wolverhampton, who has shown clear growth, Son Heung-min 31, Tottenham, and Kim Min-jae 27, Munich, the best in the world." Jurgen Klinsmann 59 answered a question from a German reporter.
The Korea Football Association KFA officially announced its final roster for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 at CGV I'Park Mall in Yongsan at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. After announcing the roster, Klinsmann had a press conference.
A reporter from German news agency DPA also attended the press conference. He asked Klinsmann how his team grew after taking the helm.
"Thankfully, I had the opportunity to watch all of the Korean matches at the Qatar World Cup last year. I spoke with Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, and took the helm of the national team. I felt that there were many good players in this team and that there were many quality players," Klinsmann said.
Still, he said, "However, I stand by with the belief that no matter how good the players are, I can improve the quality of the national team." Klinsmann directly mentioned the names of the players, saying, "A considerable number of players have grown this year. Special players have also appeared."
"Lee Kang-in. A player with a very special talent has transferred from RCD Mallorca to Paris Saint-Germain PSG. Hwang Hee-chan has also clearly grown. He has performed well for his team. Son Heung-min is one of the best in the world. He has improved his team further with the departure of Harry Kane," he said, expressing his players' upturn this season.
In fact, Lee Kang-in made his name known to local fans when he moved to PSG, France's "Mangju." He left for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games for a while, but Lee Kang-in, who returned to PSG with the gold medal, quickly adapted to the team. With Kylian Mbappe, the "core" of the team, he appeared friendly as if he were treating his best friend not only inside the stadium but also at the training site.
Lee Kang-in shot his PSG debut goal by shaking the AC Milan net in October, and in the ensuing match against Brest, he even helped Mbappe with his first help. In the match against Montpellier, he has continued to play well since scoring with a left-footed shot of the "Daepo Al" and winning the League 1 goal of the month in November.
Hwang Hee-chan has also emerged as a star player for his team, the Wolverhampton Wanderers. Hwang Hee-chan struggled for a while after moving to the club in 2021, but he scored 10 goals and two assists in the 2023-2024 season alone, ranking sixth in the Premier League scoring list.
Son Heung-min, who was already considered a world class striker, has taken his strides to the next level. Harry Kane, who was playing as an offensive combination for his team Tottenham Hotspur, moved to Bayern Munich ahead of the 2023-2024 season, but he shook off his sluggishness last season and has garnered 11 goals and four assists in 18 league matches. This season, Son has also shown off his leadership as Tottenham's official captain.
Klinsmann said, "I think it is a time when Koreans and soccer fans must be so proud. Starting from the center back, we have the world's best defender Kim Min-jae. We won the Defender of the Year award in Italy. It is not easy to win such an award in Italy. He has improved a lot, and he has become an indispensable leader in the national team."
"There are experienced players in the midfield, and Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Kang-in, and Son Heung-min, who are starting to bloom, are holding out," he said, emphasizing the performance of overseas players once again.
"I hope the players continue to perform well even after they join the national team. If they show their confidence and prepare well, there will be good results. We have improved as a team in the Asian Cup, improved as a team, and improved as a team this year. I am looking forward to showing that," he said. 토토
Klinsmann said, "Players from overseas will join the team in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 3. The main team will move to Abu Dhabi on the evening of Jan. 2. The entire team will gather and begin on Jan. 3. We are constantly communicating with the players' team. Nothing special. What is important is to join the team without injury."
"I have participated in big competitions, Asian Cup-like competitions, individually Olympics, Euros and World Cups, but what is important is timing," he said. "Players are doing well in their respective teams and major leagues. They are preparing very well. They are receiving good vibes and good energy. I am thinking positively about the performances of the national team players have recently," he said.
Klinsmann said, "I've been waiting for 64 years. 64 years is too long for the Korean national soccer team. There will be many events and some matches that require luck. A guillotine match can be held, such as a tournament or a penalty shootout. If players join without injury and continue their confidence, I am confident that I will produce good results if I get off to a good start. This is an opportunity to achieve a championship that we have not achieved for 64 years," vowing to aim for the championship with the players who have made progress to the next level.
