National Soccer Team Switches to Four-Back Formation

“Will bad luck bring good luck?”

The Korea National Soccer Team will play against the “Powerhouse of South America,” Paraguay, in Munhak World-Cup Stadium, Incheon at 7 p.m. on April 28. The meaning of the game, right after the dismissal of Umberto Coelho, is far more than a mere exhibition match.

The Paraguay team is a first class national team. Paraguay placed second, behind Argentina and above Brazil in the South American preliminary of the 2006 Germany World Cup, and is currently ranks 23rd in the world FIFA rankings. Paraguay also leads Korea in terms of record, with one win and one draw.

--What will be different now that Coelho is gone?

Gaining control over the national team unexpectedly, 49-year-old acting coach Park Seong-hwa has changed formations and positions in order to reform the team’s atmosphere. He has returned the team to a four-back system, something that both Guss Hiddink and Coelho experimented with, but rejected in favor of a three-back system. A four-back system consists of four defenders playing back. Two-way play from the wings and perfect teamwork from the four defenders are crucial for the formation’s success.

In a four-back system, penetration passing from an opponent can lead to easy goals because of the weakness of a one-line defense, and play will suffer if the wings are not fast enough to switch from offense and defense. But Park is determined to use a four-back system thanks to the addition of left wing Lee Young-pyo (Eindhoven) and right wing Song Jong-gook (Feyenoord).

Park also placed “Multi Player” Yoo Sang-cheol into one top striker’s position, teaming him with Ahn Jeong-hwan (Yokohama). Yoo is playing the striker position for the first time in three years.

In addition, another big change was announced as the ambidextrous Seol Ki-hyun (Anderlecht) was moved to left attacking midfielder and Lee Eul-yong (Seoul) and Kim Nam-il (Jeonnam) took over as “double playmakers.”

--Stage for an apology?

The heroes of the World Cup have promised that “it is our fault Coelho resigned. We will do our best not to let it happen again.”

Yoo, the team’s eldest player, remarked, “We won’t perform poorly to disappoint fans.” Ahn said, “We will show fantastic offensive-minded play.” Lee Young-pyo said, “We can deal with the four-back system. I will display my ability which I learned in Europe.”

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com