I'm finally seeing people become enlightened. This is the only way forward for South Korea in light of so many disadvantages such as military service, lack of quality youth development, etc. They need to focus on educating and training their staff across the K-League along with all the players on the precise techniques, diet, lifestyle etc needed to attain and maintain fitness approaching world beating levels. They need to be the equivalent of 2004-2005 PSV. Were PSV superior in talent? Obviously not. But they were able to maintain pressure on their opponents and force great players to play badly by outworking them, being more tenacious, and being better organized. This requires fitness above all as well as a fighting mentality, and the KNT is sorely lacking in both.
Personally I don't understand all this pining for Ji . He hasn't accomplished much in the international level. Suk definitely has more of the necessary quality, but not Ji.
A decoy it seems. Draw their tallest defenders so that one can better exploit height disparities and the space. Doesn't even work in theory though if you haven't got the necessary ability to continually run into spaces and connect passes between these spaces.
I think Lee Yong is being favored due to his height knowing that the matchups in set play situations against Sweden and Germany are going to generally favor Korea's opponents. This probably largely explains why Shin was picked over Suk and Ji.
I didn't hate MSM selection. I think he would make an okay sub late in the game when we need some pace in the flanks. It really should be LSW/LJS in the wings, or even LCY over MSM.
He's a player with a lot of potential and posses a natural aggressiveness. He can also defend high up the pitch. So he offers some unique qualities. The problem is that he hasn't had time to get with the team yet so we need to see what develops, but of course it is hard to fault his selection which was short forced by the injuries to KCH and LGH.
STY is apparently saying that the players are feeling the effects of hard training because they need to boost their conditioning levels and cannot afford to taper yet as they are playing catch-up. Grande and Minana could have done so much with better support better "luck" with injuries, and a more organized and professional KFA. The overreactions on this and other threads is quite amusing. What do you expect?
Yes, Bolivia has obviously no problem acclimating to the altitude, and they aren't trying desperately to ramp up their fitness at the eleventh hour, so this was their advantage. If heat becomes a factor Korea will be somewhat prepared, as it is roughly as warm or warmer in Korea than most of the locations in Russia where there are matches. But what would normally be a big advantage doesn't promise to be so pronounced this time due to the rather low level of fitness overall.
We have to see this match more physical training than a match considering it was played in Innsbruck with opponents that are good "sparring partners". The Senegal match will be a better reflection of what Korea will plan to do tactically.
It's amusing to think back at all the optimism only a few years ago of what Ki and LCY would accomplish when the La Masia boys would develop into world beaters. Ki turned out to be a one-season wonder, Lee couldn't manage to recover any form or fitness after any injury layoff, and the La Masia boys haven't shown any world-beating qualities since leaving Barca. Looks like an analytical deficiency of epidemic proportions .
Grande mentions the language problem several times in one of his interviews with Marca, and it seems he is clearly frustrated with the translation process.
Not to forget to mention his familiarity with Swedish football. Given the opportunity to be on the pitch, it will be definitely helpful.
Not a single player on that side plays for a Swedish club. But they even have a guy playing in Kuwait. That tells you how weak that league is.
And he mostly played in third and second tier league. STY's logic is absurd : He called up MSM because he barely played 20 games in Swedish first division and he ignored JDW who has played something like 5 seasons in Bundesliga (He forgot we are going to face Germany, maybe)
He was scouted by and achieved player of the year honours for a manager considered one of the best young managers in England. This team has won three straight promotions and won a Europa League match against Arsenal and played expansive, impressive football. Galatasaray fans applauded Östersunds FK off the pitch. This would indicate that Moon has been successful and has been a key part in Potter's success. Obviously adjusting to playing in the KNT setup under a very different system isn't an easy transition. But trust me, this guy is going to do something important in this World Cup.
If Shin selects players who are far below elite level by world standards from K-League then why do you criticise him for picking someone who played in Swedish leagues? If KCH or LGH weren't injured, of course he wouldn't gotten called up. But someone having experienced several tiers of football in a league that produces competent players regularly would obviously have something to offer.
It might also tell you how good the league is at youth development if they can produce so many players who are playing in good leagues overseas. It also might be an indication of how low the salaries are in Sweden compared to other leagues. Average player in Sweden only earns roughly USD 120,000 per year. I imagine that it isn't much higher than K-League.