Gold Cup’s Nightmare Is `Bitter Medicine` for Final 16, Ought to Find Change in the Mood

The CONCACAF finals and the third place game took place at Los Angeles’ Pasadena Rose Bowl stadium, U.S.A. Mixed feelings of sorrow and joy filled the round stadium as 2002 World Cup rivals, South Korea and the U.S., faced each other.

Korean players and their fans left the ground with their faces down, as Korea lost even to Canada. On the other side, the U.S. players raised their hands toward the crowd after defeating Costa Rica. 20,000 American home-fans roared in applause as if the World Cup’s final 16 was already confirmed.

Series of starting members’ injuries and lack of decisiveness… If the tournament was a nightmare for Korea, it was a blessed ground for the U.S. who triumphed over Korea while testing its new players.

However, if the World Cup is the `goal`, the Gold Cup is the `process`. It is valid to say that if Korea enjoyed victories during the tournament, it would have had to face the World Cup with all the tasks and problems undiscovered.

The U.S. national team’s head coach, Bruce Arena, pointed out that "Tast December’s Seogwipo match and the Gold Cup results will not affect the World Cup games."

The Korean team is currently very dispirited. `Lion King` Lee Dong-Kuk responded to the question, `Why do the strikers keep missing their opportunities?` by saying, "Fear of failure unconsciously chokes you at the decisive moments."

Song Jong-Kuk even said, "Japan’s genius playmaker Nakata also makes 9 mistakes out of 10 opportunities. But people around him accept the mistakes and encourage him, and that is why he plays confidently, running for that one `killing pass`."

Until last year, the Korean players were so confident that they said, "Final 16 is possible." but now, they are dropping their gaze. The weary national team thirsts for strong strategy and high morale. Will there be a solution?

Keuk-In Bae bae2150@donga.com