[Official] 'Interim Coach System Confirmed': South Korea to Face Venezuela and Uzbekistan in Domestic Friendly Matches in October

*This content was translated by AI.

The South Korean national football team, which will operate under an interim coach system until November, is set to play friendly matches against Venezuela and Uzbekistan in October in South Korea.

On the 28th, the KFA announced, "We have confirmed the opponents for two of the four upcoming friendly matches scheduled for September–October as part of the Hana Bank Invitational National Team Friendly Matches held domestically."

Until last year, FIFA A-match periods were held separately in September and October with two matches each. Starting this year, these months have been combined into a single period from September to October. During the 16th-day A-match window, teams can play up to four consecutive matches. The existing A-match periods in March, June, and November remain unchanged.

The KFA has decided to hold four consecutive matches domestically during this period. While the opponents and schedule for the September friendlies are yet to be determined, the two October matches have been confirmed: Venezuela on October 2 and Uzbekistan on the 6th.

Venezuela is ranked 47th in the FIFA rankings and failed to qualify for the recent North American World Cup finals. This will be only their second meeting with South Korea since 2014, after a 12-year gap. In their first friendly encounter, South Korea won 3-1.

Uzbekistan is ranked 60th in the FIFA rankings. They made their World Cup debut through the North American qualifiers but were eliminated in the group stage of Group K with three losses (2 goals scored, 11 conceded). Historically, South Korea holds a dominant record against Uzbekistan with 11 wins, 4 draws, and 1 loss. For South Korea, this match could serve as preparation for next January's AFC Asian Cup.

Following the resignation of coach Hong Myung-bo, the KFA has decided to run the Nam Ja (CEO) team under an interim coach system until the FIFA A-match period in November. The association plans to appoint an interim coach soon through a public recruitment process structured as a corporate entity. The interim coach will lead the team in six matches: four consecutive games in September–October and two additional matches in November.

A KFA official stated, "Regarding the confirmed October matches, negotiations are ongoing for the opponent of the friendly match to be held in September. Once final agreements are reached, we will announce them promptly. Additionally, details regarding the appointment of the Nam Ja (CEO) team's head coach will be finalized and communicated separately as procedures progress."

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*This content was translated by AI.