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Korea Herald
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Korea Herald
S. Korea coach tells players to relish rival match vs. Japan at E. Asian football tournament
On the eve of a high-stakes rival match against Japan at the ongoing regional football tournament, South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo said Monday his players should try to enjoy the experience. South Korea, world No. 23, and Japan, ranked 17th, will square off in the final match of the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship at 7:24 p.m. Tuesday at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, some 40 kilometers south of Seoul. Both teams won their first two matches of the tournament to collect six points, and Japan have the edge in goal difference, +7 to +5. Japan only need a draw against South Korea to win their second consecutive EAFF title. It is a must-win match for South Korea, who are chasing their sixth EAFF crown. South Korea have had 42 wins, 23 draws and 16 losses against Japan, but have lost each of the past two meetings by the same score of 3-0. Given the stakes and the history of the sporting rivalry between the two countries, the intensity level will likely be several notches higher than what South Korea experienced against China and Hong Kong. "Obviously, it's a crucial match and we want to win it," Hong told reporters before a training session at Seongnam Stadium in Seongnam, just south of Seoul. "I am confident our players will play a good match." Hong, no stranger to the heated rivalry from his playing days, also said his players shouldn't be stressing too much over the match. "In the past, the prevailing approach (to matches against Japan) was that we could not afford to lose. I was no different," he said, "But at some point, I realize just beating Japan isn't everything. Of course, our players must compete with a sense of pride in representing the country, but I also hope that they won't lose sight of important tactics or other aspects of the game. I hope they will enjoy the experience." Hong observed that the two teams play under similar sets of tactics. "They said Japan may be more detail oriented, but I believe we will have a chance to execute our plans and have a chance to score," the coach said. "We will have to be sharp on our defense and be prepared to make adjustments in the second half." With stars based in Europe and the Middle East not available here, Hong has put together a team of 23 players in the domestic K League 1 and three players in Japan's J1 League. They've been trying to make their case for inclusion on the squad for next year's FIFA World Cup. Hong said he has enjoyed working with the current group of players. "Having trained with these players for about 10 days has taught me a great deal," he said. "It may be premature to talk about what will happen a year from now, but a few players here have been incredible at this tournament. I don't know where they're going to be a year from now but I was able to see their potential to represent the country at the World Cup. I've had a great time with them." Jo Hyeon-woo, captain and first-choice goalkeeper for South Korea, said the players believe in themselves just as much as the coach believes in them. "We are confident that we can win the match if we can execute the way the coach wants us to," Jo said. "I will try to keep Japan off the board and help us finish this tournament on a winning note." Jo said the coach won't have to worry about his players feeling added pressure just because they will play Japan. "The mood in the team hasn't changed. If anything, we've grown more confident as the tournament has gone on," Jo said. "We've adjusted well to some tactical changes and I know we will take the field feeling pretty good tomorrow."
RTHK
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTHK
HKFA says Shinichi Chan's recall was prearranged
HKFA says Shinichi Chan's recall was prearranged The Football Association dismissed reports that more SAR players would be recalled by their Chinese Super League clubs, saying the recall of Shinichi Chan (right) was pre-arranged. File photo courtesy of the HKFA The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) said on Sunday that for now, only star defender Shinichi Chan won't be playing in the final match against the national team at an East Asian tournament, because his club has recalled him. Multiple media reports suggested that SAR players competing in the Chinese Super League would be recalled ahead of Tuesday's clash at the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship in South Korea. In a statement, the HKFA clarified that the decision for Chan, 22, to play only two of the three games at the tournament had been reached before the competition began. "[The agreement was] made in consideration of the player's overall physical fitness and best interest, making sure that the player is not overloaded with an intense playing schedule," the statement read. The HKFA said the coaching team had coordinated this arrangement at the time of player selection and made the necessary preparations to ensure the squad was ready for the games. It added that so far it has received no other requests for the release of SAR players. The association stressed that clubs were not obliged to release players for international duty, because the tournament was being held outside the FIFA international match window. Both the SAR and the national team are looking for their first points at the tournament, having suffered defeats to the hosts and Japan.
RTHK
07-07-2025
- Sport
- RTHK
China beaten by S Korea in East Asian championship
China beaten by S Korea in East Asian championship South Korea outclass China with a 3-0 victory in the tournament's opening match. Photo: RTHK China on Monday suffered a 3-0 defeat to South Korea in the opening match of the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship. The hosts displayed a stellar performance in Yongin despite missing key European-based players such as Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain. The five-time champions opened the scoring after just eight minutes with their first shot attempt, as midfielder Lee Dong-gyeong found the top-left corner with a magnificent left-footed curve from outside the box. South Korea continued to create chances and doubled the lead 13 minutes later when left-back Lee Tae-seok set up Joo Min-kyu for an easy header. Defender Kim Ju-sung scored the third 10 minutes after the break, capitalising on a rebound from Park Seung-wook's header off a corner. China created a few chances but couldn't break through, including Wei Shihao's freekick that sailed narrowly over the bar. Hong Kong, China take on defending champions Japan in the tournament's next match on Tuesday. The four teams play a round-robin format, with the winners determined by points.
