" Many Weaknesses Too" , Korea Has a Good Shot

*Poland*

“Strong pressurizing defense and fast-break were the winning factors.” As the Korean national soccer team’s coach Guus Hiddink analyzed after watching the Japan-Poland match, Poland kneeled down before Japan’s strong defense and sudden attack. Japan’s coach Philippe Troussier also said, “The pressurizing defense, which advanced the defense line narrowing each space of offense-midfield-defense, was effective.”

Although Poland made full use of its `best 11`, striker Olisadebe was bottled up by his exclusive defender Matsuda’s adhesive defense, and the midfield was also intercepted, failing to connect passes through the midfielders.

Also, the Polish defense fell apart by Ono and Ichigawa’s fast side-penetration after Nakata Hidetoshi’s precise passing. The fact that both of the two points were made from Ichigawa’s centering after breaking through Poland’s right zone proves the Polish defense’s weakness.

*U.S.A*

As the U.S. players rapidly lost control over stamina in the second half, the team fell before Germany allowing 3 goals in 7 minutes. Lowering of stamina further caused loosening in the defensive organization, and side-defense, especially, revealed severe weaknesses.

Germany’s third goal, which came in 20 minutes of the second half, was the occasion that showed U.S.A.’s weak side-defense. After receiving a forward pass from the midfield, Germany’s Schneider dug into the right side passing towards the goal, and Bierhoff finalized a clear goal with a right-foot shot.

The fourth goal that came after 4 minutes also had the fall of the U.S. defense as its reason. Jeremies centered the ball that flew into the left-side space after being passed by Frings from the central midfield, and Frings, while running into left, headed in the ball. While giving up 2 points, the U.S. defenders helpless let German players into the sides. Analysts say that Korea, which is concentrating on physical training, should actively pressurize the U.S. emptying out the enemy’s stamina, and use the sides for finalizing goals.

*Portugal*

“There is possibility for victory, if Luis Figo is marked closely and the right and left sides are opened up.”

Portugal was crushed by Finland, which recently lost to Korea by 0-2, under the score of 1-4, and soccer experts at the scene all said, “Although Portugal did not put out everything it has got, it is true that there are blind spots in Portugal’s four-back defense.”

Portugal’s 4 lost points on the day were all results of Finland’s sudden attack, which instantly broke down the defense line. The side-defense, which was led by Mario Silva and Frechaut, fell short before Finland’s fast counterattack, and consequently, Jorge Costa and Fernando Couto’s central defense also lost control. Analysts say that if Korea uses its specialty of fast side-penetration to seek backspace of Portugal’s defense, it certainly has a good shot at making goals.

The day’s match also indirectly proved Portugal’s over-dependency on playmaker Luis Figo. The Portuguese team, which missed Figo on the day, had no control over the game and fell into the offside-traps several times.