Published : Nov. 5, 2013 - 19:02
The newly named head coach of South Korean men’s soccer team at next year’s Asian Games said Tuesday he’s confident of winning the continental gold medal on home soil.
Lee Kwang-jong, appointed Monday as the bench boss of the squad, said he feels the South Korean players are “in the upper echelon” in the region, and that they should be able to reach the top of the podium when Incheon, a metropolitan city just west of Seoul, hosts the Asian Games next September.
“I’ve watched our youth players for many years and I know their strengths,” Lee said at his inaugural press conference on Tuesday.
Korea head coach Lee Kwang-jong speaks during a news conference on Tuesday. (Yonhap News)
“If we can build ourselves into a team, I think we will have plenty of talent to win the gold medal.”
Lee has been coaching South Korean youth teams in different age groups since 2000, and the Korea Football Association has said it appointed Lee because of his experience with young players.
South Korea hasn’t won an Asian Games men’s football gold since 1986, when Seoul was the host. Lee stressed that he won’t be under any extra pressure trying to end the drought at home.
“Every competition is important and the burden of expectations follows every coach,” Lee said. “As long as we can prepare well, I don’t think I will feel much pressure trying to win the gold medal.”
In Asian Games, as is the case with the Olympics, only players under the age of 23 can suit up, with an exception of three “wild card” players over the age limit.
Lee’s first international tournament will be the AFC U22 Asian Cup, set for Jan. 11-26 in Oman next year.
The continental tournament will double as the Asian qualification for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics. (Yonhap News)