Upgraded Korean Football

Mr. Umberto Coelho (53), new Director for the Korea National Soccer Team. He was a man of a very great ambition in contrast to his refined appearance.

Director Coelho expressed his tactics and future plan pursuing his soccer philosophy at the press conference after his official sign-off of the agreement at the Soccer Center of Shinmunro in Seoul on the 4th. He insisted openly, “I will present a new joy to the soccer fans in Korea for the period of one and half year in the future when I will lead the Korean soccer although the achievements made by Mr. Hidingk, former director are enormous.”

If so, what `the soccer of Mr. Coelho` will be like.

Director Coelho expressed, “I will add the sophisticated treatment in front of the goal area to the pressurizing soccer of driving hard the opponent with a strong physical power from the mid field and the space soccer utilizing the space by the speed.”

The foundation of the mythological story of entering the semi-final match at World 2002 was the pressurizing soccer. Director Coelho is willing to add a final touch of the beauty of sophistication to that. His remarks that “he will make a team which gets a win with a best tactics by every means” and his additional remarks “that he wants to be judged one and half years later about whether he can continue to lead the Korean” are the parts disclosing his ambition.

He expressed, “The national teams of Brazil and Argentine still remain as the teams of the best quality in the world although Mr. Pele and Mr. Maradona retired. The defense of the Korean team would not ruin because Mr. MyungBo Hong retired.” and added, “He took a close eye on a few defensive players of a good physical condition with the height of over one hundred and eighty-five centimeter.”

In particular, he emphasized the spiritual power. The style of Maneger Coelho concluded in a being simple and honest like his remark, “He give a top priority on the player with a strong spiritual power who would like to show his best capabilities in his position Although a multi player who can take all the positions would be liked by every director.” In relation to the formation of staffs for coaching, he expressed, “ I have a plan to get Korean directors as two coaches and a coach for the goal-keeper and a trainer in charge of the physical condition in Portugal.”

Soon-Il Kwon stt77@donga.com