A German at the helm of national football squad

By Shin Chul-ho

On Nov. 18, I watched a late-night game as the Korean national soccer team played a friendly match against Iran at Azadi Stadium in Tehran. Korea was in control for most of the match, but ultimately lost 1-0 due to a bad decision by the referee. I think the referee was afraid of the some of the Iran players, as well as the flammable Iranian crowd.

Toward the end of the match, just after the controversial goal, Iran began to play wildly, often committing fouls. A player laid down on the ground but he was not injured. When the ball went out, another player tried to not give it to the Korean team in order to run out the clock. All this foul play arose from the team’s ugly desire to win the game at all costs.

Compared to Korea, Iran was unskillful at managing the ball. After winning the match in disgrace, the Iranian coach could not conceal his joy. It was deplorable. As things stand now, the development of Iranian soccer looks murky.

Games between countries often do not end merely as games. We can often figure out national characteristics through them as well. Through this particular match, one could possibly surmise that Iran would violate international law and practices for its own benefit. More surprisingly, an Iranian journalist reported, “Iran kills Korea again!” Thus, some countries will naturally tighten vigilance against Iran.

Objectively speaking, Korea, a cut above Iran, hardly played dirty from beginning to end. The Korean players scarcely beat, held or kicked their opponents. Korea lost the game because of the invalid goal. A game lost with outstanding competence is engraved in our brains as winning.

Therefore, Korean coach Uli Stielike and the Taegeuk Warriors don't have to feel bad over their loss. The Korean people are well aware that the defeat was due to the manipulation of an unfair referee. After the game, I heard nobody speak ill of the Korean team.

Most Korean soccer experts appraise Stielike as, ``Since he took the helm of the Korean national soccer team, it has begun to regain its vigor." That is a very good sign, I suppose. And I'd like to give my opinion on the “elders first” policy based on Confucianism. This silly tactic should not happen again, where a junior player is attacking, but passes the ball to a senior player at a decisive moment.

Korea's brilliant performances in 2002 World Cup was closely linked to the wisdom that coach Guus Hiddink tore down the barrier between seniors and juniors for smooth communication. Meanwhile, the poor performance in the 2014 World Cup was due to the stupid ideas of Hong Myung-bo, which run counter to the philosophy of Hiddink.

The 2015 AFC Asian Cup is scheduled to be held in Australia from Jan. 9-31. Success for the Korean team there would bring a lot of joy to the Korean people. However, not much is expected of the Korean team in the Asian Cup. It is just a step on the path toward the 2018 Russia World Cup. I hope Stielike continues to improve Korean soccer for the long haul.

The writer is an elementary school teacher outside of Seoul. His email address is heemy123@hanmail.net.