Live broadcast on February 07, it was reported that in the semifinals of the Asian Cup, the highly anticipated South Korean team suffered a surprise setback, losing 0-2 to Jordan, missing the final, and stopping in the semifinals. This is a sad outcome, especially for South Korean football, where the pressure is to not win the Asian Cup again for 64 years since 1958.
After the game, Son Heung-min, the 31-year-old captain of the South Korean team, was depressed, after all, this defeat meant more reflection and challenge. "I don't know if I can continue to play for the national team, and Coach Klinsmann probably won't think about me anymore," he said. Such words can't help but make people feel reluctant.
Before this Asian Cup, Son Heung-min's father, Sun Xiong, was interviewed by South Korea**, bluntly talking about the gap between the strength of the South Korean team and the Japanese team, as well as the practical problems faced by South Korean football. "In terms of individual players' skills, the Korean team is obviously inferior to the Japanese team, and our footballers need to reflect," he said. This kind of self-reflection has really pointed out the direction for the future development of Korean football.
Sun Xiong also pointed out: "In terms of technical training and investment, Korean football is obviously inferior to Japan. Such a comparison not only objectively describes the facts, but also serves as a kind of introspection and warning to Korean football. The failure to win the championship in 64 years is not accidental, but the lag in the overall strength and competitiveness of Korean football.
Of course, I want South Korea to win the championship, but if they win against their opponents without being fully prepared, I am afraid that this kind of momentum will make Korean football 'sick'. Son's concern is not unfounded, but a warning and reflection on the development of Korean football.
In short, the defeat of this Asian Cup is not the end, but a new starting point. South Korean football needs to redouble its efforts in terms of technology, training, and investment to make up for the gap with other Asian football powerhouses. Only in this way can we regain our strength and usher in the glorious moment of Korean football again.
The future of Korean football is uncertain, but only by constantly introspecting, improving and improving can we get out of the predicament and return to the top. Everyone plays an integral role in this process. So, what do you think Korean football can do to get out of the woods and get back to the top?