From clenching his eyes shut on the bench to hurling his cleats this time, Kim Min-jae erupts again... "Everyone needs to bury their heads and run"

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), a key defender for the South Korean national football team, once again failed to hide his frustration.

The South Korea men's national football team, led by manager Roberto Moreno, drew 0-0 against Venezuela in the third match of the four-match Hana Bank Invitational National Team Friendly Series held on the 2nd at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium.

It was a frustrating match in which the team failed to show clear strengths on both offense and defense.

South Korea had secured a 3-0 victory over Ecuador in the first match on the 24th of last month, but suffered a 1-4 defeat against Uruguay in the second match on the 28th. In the Venezuela match, where a turnaround in momentum was desperately needed, they ultimately failed to break through the opponent's goal and settled for a draw.

Kim Min-jae's frustration was also evident during the game.

Starting the match, Kim Min-jae was substituted off at the 35th minute of the second half for Kim Tae-hyun (Kashima Antlers) and headed to the bench. He was later captured on broadcast footage throwing his cleats away.

A similar scene had occurred in the previous match against Uruguay.

At that time, South Korea ended the first half trailing 0-3. Kim Min-jae, who was substituted immediately at the start of the second half, sat on the bench with his eyes tightly shut, expressing his disappointment. Then, four days later in the Venezuela match, as the frustrating flow continued, he once again displayed strong dissatisfaction.

After the match, he delivered an even more direct message. In an interview with the broadcasting network, Kim Min-jae said, "It was a game where a turnaround was needed, but it is disappointing that we could not bring about a result," adding, "I think many aspects need to be improved."

Even when asked about team tactics, he mentioned fundamental issues before discussing the formation. Kim Min-jae pointed out, "We should not be talking about the four-back system; the entire team needs to fight together, compete, and defend, but we are not doing it well."

He continued, "It is pitiful to see the defenders," stating, "I do not feel that everyone is fighting as a whole."

He also did not hide his strong disappointment with the national team's performance. Kim Min-jae revealed, "Even if we had won 7-0 or 9-0 today, I would not have felt good if this was the level of play."

This meant that it was not simply a matter of winning or losing or the scoreline.

What Kim Min-jae emphasized most was "team." He stressed, "It is important for the team to come together as one," saying, "Rather than individuals shining, the entire team must run as one to bring about results."

He then added, "The only way to raise the level of the team is to bury our heads and work hard," not shying away from rough expressions.

South Korea has exposed frustrating performances in its last two matches. In the match against Uruguay, they collapsed after conceding a whopping four goals, and while they finished the Venezuela match scoreless, they left room for improvement in offensive-defense connection, pressing, and team-wide movement.

Kim Min-jae's expressions and actions symbolically reflected the disappointing flow of the Choi Geun (CEO) team. Kim Min-jae also repeatedly emphasized that the issue was not a specific defensive tactic, but that all players must compete and defend together, moving as one team.

Now only the final match of the four-match series remains. South Korea will face Uzbekistan at 8 p.m. on the 6th at Yongin Mireu Stadium.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.