"I can't stand the strong team in the World Cup with four backs"... "Hong Myung-bo's Hong Myung-bo Team tactician" Aroso's reason for the "introduction of three-back"

*This content was translated by AI.

João Arroso (54), the head coach of the South Korean national soccer team, revealed why the national team is using a three-back tactic.

Portuguese media "Bolana Hede" reported in detail his background to joining the Korean national team and his vision for the 2026 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup through an exclusive interview with coach Aroso on the 5th (local time).

At the time of the launch of Hong Myung-bo Team in July 2024, the Korea Football Association said, "We will recruit foreign coaches to understand the global soccer trend and synergy tactics," and head coach Aroso joined the national team. Currently, Hong Myung-bo has a total of four Portuguese divisions, including head coach Aroso, Thiago Maia, physical coach Nunu Matias, and goalkeeper coach Pedro Rome.

According to reports, coach Aroso was contacted by the Korea Football Association after rejecting an offer from Saudi first division Al-Okdud during his time in Famalikan (Portugal). "South Korea was looking for a Korean coach to serve as a symbolic focal point and a European coach to systematize training and preparation for the game," he said. "At first, I refused, but I decided to join the team because South Korea showed passion to come to Portugal."

It also drew attention by mentioning coach Hong Myung-bo's three-back tactics, which have recently been questioned about his performance. According to coach Aroso, he mainly operated 4-4-2 in the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup Asian qualifiers, but in the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup finals, he will be equipped with a new 3-4-3 that converts to a five-back when defending.

Coach Aroso said, "It is difficult to hold out against strong teams in the World Cup with four backs," adding, "In September, we experimented with 3-4-3 in two consecutive away games against Mexico and the United States and got very positive results. Now we are ready to play pressure and build-up in any structure, such as four-back and three-back," he said with confidence.

The realistic goal of the upcoming 2026 World Cup is to advance to the next round. Coach Aroso said, "Our team has some of the best players in the world, but there are also players who play in lower-level leagues, so it is difficult to compare with Portugal and others (all of whom are at the top)."

"The realistic first goal is to pass the group stage, and it would be very positive if we could go one step further in the tournament," he said.

He also mentioned the management of European players. Coach Aroso is working between Portugal and Korea. "We are going around Europe to communicate directly with the players and observe the game, and the players are also responding very positively to this close management," he explained. When staying in Korea, he visits the K-League site in person and continues to analyze through face-to-face meetings between coaches and coaches.

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*This content was translated by AI.