[Cheonan Field] "I really like it too" Moreno's 4-4-2, players also welcomed... Oh Se-hoon: "Can play as a striking duo"

*This content was translated by AI.

"Personally, I like the 4-4-2."

Robert Moreno (Spain), interim head coach, has announced that '4-4-2' will be the basic formation for the South Korean national football team. Oh Se-hoon (Shimizu S-Pulse) at the front line expressed confidence in the two-striker system. Jeong Seung-won (FC Seoul) also stated his determination to seize opportunities under the new regime, leveraging his ability to play in various positions.

The South Korean men's national football team led by Coach Moreno gathered on the 21st at Cheonan Korea Football Park in Chungcheongnam-do and began their first training session.

This marks the first time since about three months after the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America that national team players have assembled together. It is also the first occasion for Coach Moreno to coordinate with the players on-site since his appointment.

Coach Moreno had previously announced at a press conference on the 14th regarding the roster for the friendly match against the Hana Bank Invitational National Team that he would adopt the 4-4-2 formation based on an analysis of the K-League.

At that time, he emphasized, "After analyzing the K-League over the past two years, we determined that the most frequently used system is the 4-4-2 formation," adding, "Preparing and supporting players to compete in the best possible environment and conditions is our most important mission."

This indicated an intention to make maximum use of a framework familiar to Korean players.

Oh Se-hoon, participating in his first call-up, expressed anticipation for Coach Moreno's tactical plans.

Oh Se-hoon stated, "I believe that any good player should be able to adapt to any formation," while also noting, "Personally, I like the 4-4-2. There are aspects where I can perform well as a striker in a duo."

He did not simply welcome the deployment of two strikers. Oh Se-hoon also favors a style of football that actively presses from the front line and wins the ball high up the pitch.

He emphasized, "I like football that presses from the front line both offensively and defensively, wins the ball in advanced positions, and immediately creates chances. Because I favor such tactics, I want to adapt well to them."

Attention also turns to the competition at the front line. If 4-4-2 is adopted as the basic system, it becomes important not only for individual attacking players' competitiveness but also for what combination the two strikers form.

Among attacking resources such as Son Heung-min (LAFC), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas), and Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland), Oh Se-hoon must also prove his strengths. In particular, he cannot avoid competing with Cho Gue-sung, who has a similar physique.

Regarding Cho Gue-sung, whom he met after a long time, Oh Se-hoon laughed, saying, "It's been quite a while since we last met. It's the first time I've seen him in a long time this time. It might feel a bit awkward. We used to always speak informally, but now I think I should use formal language."

At the same time, he showed a serious attitude toward competition.

Oh Se-hoon explained, "There are parts where I am better than Gue-sung and parts where I am lacking. We need to grow through competing with each other in those areas."

He further added, "Competition is always new, exciting, and thrilling. In this competition, it is important for me to clearly demonstrate my strengths, compensate for my weaknesses, and become a player who grows even more."

Jeong Seung-won highlighted his ability to play in multiple positions as his strength. He intends not to be confined to a specific position but to adapt to the roles required by Coach Moreno.

Jeong Seung-won said, "I believe I can play in various positions," adding, "I want to mention that except for central defense, I can be utilized sufficiently as a multi-role resource."

He continued, "If I understand this well enough, I think the coach will view it positively."

He also expressed confidence in his current form. Jeong Seung-won emphasized, "I believe my performance has improved significantly. If I show even better performances, I think I can get a chance to play."

A stage to test the new tactics will soon open.

South Korea will face Ecuador in its first A-match under Coach Moreno at 8 p.m. on the 24th at Suwon World Cup Stadium. Then, on the 28th at 8 p.m., they will meet Uruguay at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

On October 2, they will face Venezuela at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, and on the 6th, Uzbekistan at Yongin Mir Stadium. This schedule involves four A-matches over approximately two weeks.

Beyond results, an important viewing point is what kind of football identity Coach Moreno will instill in the South Korean national team. It will be possible to see how the striking duo combination, front-line pressing, and individual player roles are implemented in actual matches.

If the overall evaluation of this four-match series' performance and results is positive, there is a possibility that Coach Moreno will continue leading the national team until the AFC Asian Cup held in Saudi Arabia next January.

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*This content was translated by AI.