*This content was translated by AI.
Roberto Moreno (Spain), the interim manager of the Republic of Korea national football team who led the victory against Uzbekistan, assessed that "it was not an easy match." Regarding Lee Kang-in (Atletico Madrid), who was substituted after the first half, he stated, "It was at his own request due to an ankle injury."
Manager Moreno attended a press conference following the 2-0 victory in the national team friendly against Uzbekistan held on the 6th at Yongin Mireu Stadium, stating, "It was a tough match, but I feel that the color we were trying to instill in the players through the four-match series has come out to some extent. That is being a team that plays both attack and defense together, and having the ability to overcome difficult moments as a team."
On this day, Korea defeated Uzbekistan 2-0, led by Son Heung-min's (LAFC) free-kick opening goal and Oh Se-hoon's (Shimizu S-Pulse) header. Son Heung-min scored his 59th career international goal, surpassing former manager Cha Bum-keun to take sole first place in the all-time international goals list. Manager Moreno concluded his first four-match international series with a record of two wins, one draw, and one loss.
Manager Moreno said, "From the goalkeeper to the forwards, we played together and overcame difficult moments. It is important to prioritize team goals and results over individuals. That aspect came out well." He added, "I am glad that we were able to bring joy to the fans through the victory. Now, we must study how to call up good players for the next gathering."
Regarding Lee Kang-in, who started the match but was substituted at halftime, he said, "He suffered an ankle injury and had no choice but to come off. After the first half ended, he requested the substitution himself. It was not in our plan. We must adapt to such variables." He added, "Lee Kang-in is undoubtedly a player who loves the national team. Today as well, he put in tremendous personal effort."
Manager Moreno continued, "What I consider important for the next gathering is the players' performance. It does not matter where a player plays or what name they have. What matters is their match performance at that time and what kind of form they are showing." He stated, "We need performances that can bring joy to the fans. It is important to have players who can show the image we pursue when they join the national team. I hope the players recognize this and play well for their club teams."
Manager Moreno's term lasts until the two-match international series in November next month. After a six-match evaluation period, it will be decided in January of next year whether he will take charge of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. Below is the Q&A from Manager Moreno's press conference.
- What are your thoughts on the match?
"It was not an easy match. The opponent was a well-organized team. It was a tough game. They were a team that knew what they wanted and played football accordingly. However, I feel that the color we were trying to instill in the players through the four-match series has come out to some extent. That is being a team that plays both attack and defense together, and having the ability to overcome difficult moments as a team. From the goalkeeper to the forwards, we played together and overcame difficult moments. The principles I believe our team must uphold came out well. It is important to prioritize team goals and results over individuals. That aspect came out well. At the level of the Korean national team, that philosophy is important. I am glad that we were able to bring joy to the fans through the victory. My role now is to analyze information and matches in detail again to prepare for the next gathering. The players must also analyze through observation. We must study how to call up good players during the next window (gathering period)."
- You have built up to the fourth floor of a six-story building (the interim manager's six-match term). Do you evaluate that it has been built as planned? How would you assess the four-match international series in September and October? And what aspects will you focus on in the remaining two matches?
"In Korea, a six-story building is considered low. I think we want to build a taller one. Rather than winning one match and stacking up one floor, we should avoid collapsing the building itself even if one match goes poorly. The important thing is to firmly establish the national team's philosophy. We are setting principles clearly. We are also trying to understand not only the national team but also Korean culture. I understand that the players are also making an effort. I am here in my role as national team manager to help achieve good performance. Ultimately, playing winning football is our goal. The players must recognize that there is no player greater than the team, and they should place individual results or goals behind the team's results or goals so that we can grow as a team. It is also important to have the principle of looking people in the face when problems arise and resolving internal matters internally.
What I consider important for the next gathering is the players' performance. It does not matter where a player plays or what name they have. What matters is their match performance at that time and what kind of form they are showing. Performances that can bring joy to the fans are important. It is important to have players who can show the image we pursue when they join the national team. I hope the players recognize this and play well for their club teams."
- Among the recent Asian Games gold medal members, are there any players you have in mind for call-up?
"There were many impressive players. I have not analyzed them deeply yet, but I will analyze them further going forward. If possible, we plan to watch them live. What I want the players to know is that the national team is always an open door. I hope they recognize that they can be called up at any time if they show performance, and play well for their club teams. It is important not to let them feel safe in any national team. Taking this opportunity, I send my congratulations to the Asian Games national team. Achieving such results against Japan in the final held in Japan, even with poor pitch conditions, is meaningful and remarkable."
- You expressed that there is no player greater than the team. The 4-4-2 system shown in the four-match series requires a lot of running, and when it did not work well, dissatisfaction arose internally. Will you maintain the tactics going forward, or will you pursue tactical changes tailored to the players' characteristics?
"It is something we have pursued from the beginning. When they come to the national team and show what they do well, I want to realize a situation where the national team performs well. When analyzing Korean players, there were many versatile players. We are trying to establish a system tailored to such players. Of course, there is definitely an element of adapting flexibly depending on the opponent. In today's case, we started building up with a back four, but switched to a back three and proceeded according to the opponent's style. The same was true for the previous three matches. Flexible adaptation was necessary according to the opponent's tactics. Variables arise in every match and at every moment. It is important to be able to adapt flexibly. Today as well, Lee Kang-in felt discomfort after the first half ended and requested the substitution himself. It was not in our plan. We must adapt to such things."
- Lee Kang-in's form for his club team differed from that of the national team. How did you evaluate Lee Kang-in through the four-match series?
"He is undoubtedly a player who loves the national team. Today as well, he put in tremendous personal effort. He suffered an ankle injury and had no choice but to come off. I am proud that he is at a top-level Spanish club where he is showing good form. However, it is not easy. Because such a talented player has high expectations, meeting those expectations is not easy. Lee Kang-in is doing well and will continue to do so, so if he continues to fulfill his role well, he will be able to reach the level required by fans and the national team. To add, I rarely make personal remarks about players individually. Today, it seems I talked more about Lee Kang-in than what I originally intended."
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*This content was translated by AI.
