Hiddink`s defense tactics focused on Hong Myung-Bo

Guus Hiddink, new head coach of the Korean national soccer team, is totally overhauling the traditional Korean defense tactics.

The Korean team used to concentrate on man-to-man defense led by the sweeper positioned behind. However, Hiddink introduced the so-called ¡°flat four-back system,¡± featuring a space defense, mixed appropriately with regional defense and man-to-man defense by four defenders.

With the new system, in question is the role of talented sweeper Hong Myung-Bo, 32, playing in the J-League because in the new system the concept of sweeper itself is meaningless.

Hiddink appears to give full trust to Hong because there is no player who perfectly understands his tactics like Hong, who fought all sorts of hardships in the Japanese pro soccer league.

Hiddink is expected to employ him as an aggressive libero like Frank De Boer, 31, of F.C. Barcelona of Spain, renowned for his mid-range shoots. Because there is no playmaker of an aggressive meaning in the new system, Hong is expected to advance to the mid-field frequently to orchestrate the team offensives.

It draws a keen attention from the soccer world and fans whether Hong will be able to be making the transition as a world-class defender overwhelming De Boer under the command of Hiddink.