In the match against Australia, where physical strength is expected to be inferior, surprising tactics are expected.

 

In the '2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup' round of 16 match against Saudi Arabia, coach Jurgen Klinsmann won for the first time since taking office using the 'three back' tactic of having three central defenders. Attention is being paid to whether there will be a surprise tactic in the quarterfinals against Australia.

 

Coach Klinsmann selected three central defenders at the same time, Min-jae Kim, Young-kwon Kim, and Seung-hyun Jeong, in the round of 16 against Saudi Arabia held at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on the 31st (Korean time).

 

Coach Klinsmann, who had always used a back four with two central defenders and two side defenders since his appointment, suddenly brought out a back three on this day.

 

This can be interpreted as reflection on the results of the group stage. In the three group stage games, the opponent analyzed the weaknesses of the existing four-back defense, and as a result, Korea gave up six goals in three games.

 

There was also an intention to disturb the Saudi players. Saudi coach Roberto Mancini's intention was to embarrass the opponent by suddenly introducing 3 backs in a situation where it was highly likely that he had prepared a strategy to attack Korea with 4 backs.

 

Director Klinsmann's intentions were generally correct. Saudi Arabia was unable to properly attack the Korean defense in the first half. In a tight battle, neither side was able to create a decisive opportunity.

 

The 3-back strategy was not completely successful. In the 41st minute of the first half, they were unable to properly block the opposing players in a corner kick defense situation, and Saudi Arabia's shots hit the goal post twice, barely overcoming the crisis.

 

In addition, the 3-back defense allowed the first goal one minute into the second half. The Korean defense collapsed due to Saudi Aldosari's unexpected pass, and Abdullah Radif scored with a left-footed shot.

 

In the end, Korea changed players and switched to a back four to score the equalizing goal. As Saudi Arabia switched to extreme defense early on and locked up, both Korean flank defenders concentrated on attacking and an equalizer was scored at the end of the second half.

 

Veteran central defender Kim Young-kwon, who played the game without replacement that day, confessed that he was not familiar with the back three. He met with reporters after the game and said, “I wasn’t used to three-backs, but I prepared as much as I could in a short period of time.” He added, “Unlike the group stage, I don’t think we conceded goals easily. He said, “It definitely makes us a little more solid by having one more number on the defense.” At the same time, he said, “Whether it is three backs or four backs, I will continue to prepare in a way that allows as few goals as possible.”

 

Accordingly, Klinsmann now has two options in the upcoming quarterfinal match against Australia: 4-back and 3-back. He was able to choose the right formation to attack Australia.

 

Australia is a team that plays European-style soccer, and its strength is its organization. There was some criticism that he lacked scoring ability, but he dispelled concerns by scoring four goals in the round of 16 against Indonesia. Australia, which has an advantage in terms of physique, played the round of 16 two days before Korea, so it rested and replenished its stamina.

 

Australia is different from the Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian teams that Korea faced in the group stage and round of 16. Accordingly, Coach Klinsmann is expected to prepare for the game against Australia by recalling the friendly match against Wales held in September of last year. Wales is the only European team that Coach Klinsmann has faced since taking office.

 

The game was held at Cardiff City Stadium in Wales on September 8 last year and was tied 0-0. Coach Klinsmann deployed Cho Kyu-sung and Son Heung-min as the top two. Cho Gyu-sung stood in front of the opponent's goal, and Son Heung-min moved freely behind the goal. The midfield consisted of Lee Jae-seong, Hwang In-beom, Park Yong-woo, and Hong Hyun-seok, while the defense consisted of Lee Ki-je, Kim Min-jae, Jeong Seung-hyun, and Seol Young-woo, and the goal was guarded by Kim Seung-gyu.

 

At the time, the offense was so frustrating that Son Heung-min only recorded his first effective shot in the 40th minute of the first half. Korea, which lost the initiative to Wales midway through the second half, barely overcame the crisis, with the opponent's header hitting the goalpost.

 

Attention is being paid to whether Coach Klinsmann, who outwitted his opponent in the Saudi game, will be able to come up with a strategy to overcome his physical inferiority and achieve victory in the game against Australia. 스포츠토토