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National football team continues to make progress under Bento’s leadership

National football team continues to make progress under Bento’s leadership

Posted December. 29, 2018 07:31,   

Updated December. 29, 2018 07:31

한국어

“If your goal is to do well at the World Cup, you will have to give me enough time. I will take responsibility for the results at the World Cup. Your eval‎uation of me should be made after the next World Cup.”

This is what Paulo Bento said in August when he interviewed with Kim Pan-gon, head of the national team coach appointment committee at the Korea Football Association (KFA). Assuming the position of the head coach of the Korean national football team, which is considered the Holy Grail, Bento requested that he be given enough time.

The Korean national football team has not suffered a loss (3 wins 3 ties) since new coach Paulo Bento took the job in August. “There were lots of concerns before the tryout matches with strong teams including Uruguay,” said Kim. "I felt like I was taking a test, too…It’s a relief that we got off to a good start."

Kim said coach Bento knows the importance of the Asian Cup. “I told Bento that our goal is to win the Asian Cup, advance to the World Cup group matches in 10 events in a row, and make it to the quarterfinals at the World Cup," Kim said. "Bento said the goal is attractive. I will watch how our new coach controls unexpected situations in tournaments and international competitions.”


Yun-Cheol Jeong trigger@donga.com