Nat’l soccer team coach stresses discipline

“Ki Sung-yueng (Swansea City A.F.C.) should know what a yellow card means in a soccer match. I’ll keep a close eye on him.”

Hong Myung-bo, a coach of the Korean national soccer team, took the sword out. He announced his team line up of 23 members for the EAFF East Asian Cup from July 20 through 28 at the National Football Center in Paju on Thursday. He stressed honor and discipline of the team.

Hong, in particular, did not forget to warn Ki who stirred controversy over his inappropriate use of the social networking site. He said, “As a player representing his country, it was an inappropriate behavior to his teacher. Not only as his coach but also as a senior soccer player, I hope Ki could expand his inner space instead of communication towards outside.”

The Korea Football Association seriously warned Ki but decided not to pass him to the discipline committee on Wednesday. In response, soccer fans criticized the weak punishment. “The association’s action and my selection of him on the roaster are separate,” Hong said. “Ki should take the association’s warning seriously.”

The coach also emphasized the discipline of the national team. “It is important to have a discipline internally as well as externally,” he said. “I asked players to dress up.” He did not like players joining the team in a torn-out blue jean, t-shirt, and cap. Instead, he wanted players to be in a suit with a tie. Hong said, “Wearing a suit shows one’s willingness saying ‘I’m ready’.” He also made the same request to his players when he led the national team for the 2012 Olympics. He set up rules for decent attitude and unity such as “Tuck your shirt into your pants,” “Be together from the beginning to the end of training sessions and meals,” and “Run when you come back from drinking a glass of water during training sessions.”

Hong also asked his players to walk into the National Football Center from the main gate on the first day of gathering. So far, players had passed through the main gate by car and had got off in front of their accommodations. He said, “The first step of the national team will start from the main gate of the NFC. I want them to think about what they have to do in the team from the main gate.”

On the East Asian Cup, Coach Hong said, “Most of all, I think it is important to regain people’s confidence by doing our best in every match.”