SUWON (Yonhap News) ― South Korean football will have a “good test” against the higher-ranked Peru in its upcoming friendly match here, the host country’s head coach said Tuesday.
On the eve of the match scheduled for 8 p.m. Wednesday at Suwon World Cup Stadium, about 45 kilometers south of Seoul, coach Hong Myung-bo called Peru “an ideal opponent” for his squad because of the South Americans’ superior talent level.
Peru is ranked 22nd in the FIFA world rankings, while South Korea is No. 56. Peru’s 20-man roster features 14 players based in Europe.
In contrast, South Korea didn’t call up anyone from Europe, where new seasons have already begun or will start this weekend.
Korea’s head coach Hong Myung-bo runs a practice session at Suwon World Cup Stadium. (Yonhap News)
Hong’s 20-man squad has 13 players from the first and second divisions in South Korea and seven from Japan’s top-echelon J. League. Three players are on the national team for the first time, and only three players have made more than 10 international appearances.
At the pre-match press conference, Hong said he was looking forward to taking on the favored opponent.
“Our players are in the midst of their leagues (at home and in Japan) and must be exhausted,” Hong said. “But I think they will give their best tomorrow.”
Because the game is a friendly, Hong will be able to make up to six substitutions, compared to three subs for official FIFA contests. Hong said he will seek to juggle his offensive combinations.
“I can’t predict how much action each player will see,” the coach said. “But I expect all players to give everything they have while they’re on the field.”
Hong is looking for his first win as the national team head coach.
South Korea had two draws and a loss at the East Asian Cup in July.
Since 2000, no national team bench boss has gone winless in his first four games. Five head coaches, including Hong’s predecessor, Choi Kang-hee, won in their debuts.
Hong has previously said winning games now is less important than preparing right for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil and even said his first head coaching win could come at the quadrennial tournament.
On Tuesday, Hong clarified that he isn’t entirely indifferent to results but that he has bigger things on his mind.
“It makes no sense for a national team head coach not to care about results,” Hong said. “In this line of work, results speak volumes. But we might have good results even if we don’t necessarily play good football. If we keep losing, we may lose trust of fans, but I just think it’s more important to build trust with our players.”
