Struggling with reports of internal strife in Korean soccer... Japan has already laid out plans for a pre-Asian Cup training camp and final friendly matches

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The Japan Football Association is accelerating preparations for winning the 2027 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. Not only has the opponent for the November friendly matches been decided, but the outlines of a pre-Asian Cup training camp and final friendly match plans have also emerged. This stands in stark contrast to Korean soccer, which is struggling with reports of internal strife within the Gong Baek-e (CEO) team under its leader.

Japanese media outlet Sponichi Annex reported on the 10th that the Japan Football Association is pushing forward a final friendly match against an opponent on December 30 in preparation for the Asian Cup. Masakuni Yamamoto, head of the Gi Sul-wi (Director) team, met with Japanese reporters after completing the technical committee meeting the previous day and said, "Nothing has been formally decided," while adding, "We will make final adjustments considering the condition of each individual player."

According to the report, the Japan Football Association is planning a final friendly match before the Asian Cup against teams in other groups among those participating in the tournament. Japan was placed in Group F alongside Qatar, Thailand, and Indonesia in this tournament's group stage. Korea was assigned to Group E alongside the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Vietnam, and Yemen.

Moreover, Japan has already confirmed a two-match friendly series against Brazil and Paraguay in Singapore next month. It has also established plans to begin a training camp at the end of December, play a final domestic friendly match, and head to the Middle East in early next year. Japan is aiming for its first Asian Cup title in 16 years and its fourth championship since the 2011 Qatar tournament.

Unlike Japan, which is smoothly preparing for the Asian Cup, Korean soccer is truly caught in a whirlpool. It is not even decided who will take charge of the team at the Asian Cup. The contract period for interim manager Roberto Moreno (Spain) lasts until next month. Based on the results of the four friendly matches in September and October (2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss) and the November friendlies, an internal evaluation by the Korea Football Association will determine whether he will lead the team at the Asian Cup. Depending on the situation, Moreno's tenure may end next month, and the team might have to enter the Asian Cup under a new manager. Unlike Japan, which faces opponents such as Brazil, the opponent for Moreno's team in November is "undecided."

It does not stop there. After finishing the match against Uzbekistan on the 6th, rumors of "national team retirement" emerged regarding players born in 1996, including Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Hwang In-beom (FC Porto), and Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke 04). Speculation is gaining weight that conflicts with veterans born in 1992, such as Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz 05), lie behind this. It is a shocking report of internal strife within the national team.

Since the "Incident No. 2701" during the Qatar World Cup, followed by so-called table tennis gate and interview boycotts, significant questions remain about "Son Heung-min's leadership," intertwined with internal issues in the Ban Bok-doe-neun (CEO) team during his tenure as captain. However, criticism is also intensifying toward the players born in 1996 who countered with the "national team retirement" card without clearly identifying the problems, leaving the atmosphere of the A national team very unsettled.

In addition, the position of Korea Football Association president remains vacant, and no schedule for the next election has been set. While Japanese soccer calmly continues its preparations to reclaim the top spot in Asia, Korea is experiencing a truly chaotic atmosphere with administrative issues and internal strife within the Gong Baek-e-da (CEO) team. The already widening gap between Korean and Japanese soccer appears to be growing even wider as a result.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original