‘Yokohama tragedy’ Bento coach, “Lee Kang-in admits zero-top failure”

On the 25th, Korean coach Bento is talking with the coaches at the 80th Korea-Japan match held at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. [연합뉴스]

Korean soccer team coach Paulo Bento, who was defeated by Japan, admitted to a tactical failure.

Korea lost 0-3 in a friendly match against Japan held at Yokohama Nissan Stadium on the 25th. Manager Bento said at a press conference after the game, “We couldn’t play the game we wanted at all. A lot of mistakes were made. There have been many scenes where a ball is being stolen from a danger area. I was more active in the second half, but my opponent showed better performance, and losing is no excuse. It was a just defeat,” he said.

In addition, manager Bento said, “I accepted it because I thought it would be a good match when an offer came in between Korea and Japan. However, as time passed, there were difficult and changed parts. I know the meaning of Korea and Japan well. The opponent was better than us and deserved to win. I want to convey congratulations. “I think that if there is something to be learned while thinking about defeat, we need to improve it.”

Bento picked up the’Zero Top’ (a typical attack that disturbs the opponent without distinction between the front line and the second line), which puts Lee Kang-in (Valencia) on the front line. However, he relied only on the long pass, and Lee Kang-in was replaced after the first half was over. “It was a strategy,” said Bento. If you break the crack in the opponent’s defensive line and pull out the opponent’s defense, the gap between the two-line winger and shadow striker Nam Tae-hee wanted a play to infiltrate behind the scenes, but it didn’t come out well. He came down to get the ball and launched an attack from the center. Lee Kang-in’s zero-top tactic was chosen based on the opponent’s tactics, but I admit that it didn’t go well.”

Korea was unable to join due to injuries such as Son Heung-min (Tottenham) and Hwang Eui-jo (Bordeaux) due to the regulation of selecting their team due to COVID-19. In fact, it was group 1.5-2. When asked,’Would the results have changed if there were foreigners,’ Bento said, “It is not appropriate to mention. It’s just an excuse. I am responsible for all the defeat,” he said.

Reporter Park Lin [email protected]