With Korea preparing to face Iraq in a key World Cup qualifying match at home this week, head coach Hong Myung-bo said Monday he will try to find the right roles for his players, especially a fast-rising young star.
Korea, world No. 23, will host 55th-ranked Iraq at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, about 40 kilometers south of Seoul.
It will be the fourth Group B match for both teams in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualification. Korea are at the top of the group with seven points from two wins and a draw. Iraq also have seven points but trail Korea in goal difference, +4 to +2.
Despite playing without their longtime captain and talisman Son Heung-min, Korea shut down Jordan 2-0 in Amman last Thursday. Midfielder Lee Jae-sung and forward Oh Hyeon-gyu scored a goal apiece.
Midfielder Bae Jun-ho assisted Oh’s goal and also threatened to score one for himself in an impressive showing off the bench in the second half. 파워볼사이트 One of the top players for Stoke City in the second-tier English league, Bae could draw his first international start Tuesday at age 21.
“Bae Jun-ho is improving at a fast rate,” Hong said at his prematch press conference. “Both for his club and for the national team, he loves playing deep in the attacking zone and he is good at that. My job as head coach is to find the right roles for players that best fit them. I’ve been thinking long and hard about how to put them in the best position to succeed.”
That list includes Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in, a talented playmaker who will be carrying more offensive responsibilities without Son. He attracted multiple defenders in the Jordan match and it will likely be the same story against Iraq.
“This is not new. We just have to find ways to help him,” Hong said. “I am not worried about his skills. I have to find the best ways to make the most of his talent.”