By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Despite a successful run at the Under-20 World Cup, South Korean football manager Hong Myung-bo believes there is still more work to be done.
"What we have found through the World Cup is that we need to keep improving ourselves,'' Hong said after arriving in Korea on Monday morning.
"We need to find something which can help us to fight off world football powerhouses."
The young Korean footballers, seen as the weakest ever, was drawn with Germany, the United States and Cameroon in Group C, called the "Group of Death,'' but the Hong's side unexpectedly emerged from the difficult group and advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1991, when a unified Korean squad did so, and came close to matching the semifinal berth of the 1983 team, only to fall to Ghana 3-2 in the quarterfinals of the competition held in Egypt.
"We prepared for the tournament, regardless of outcome, and tried out best,'' he said.
"My team was comprised of players from college and the second-string teams in the K-League, who had not had much experience internationally.
"It is a huge achievement that those players gained confidence, competing with top-tier footballers.''
In his de facto debut on the international stage, the 40-year-old boss, who took over the team in February, accomplished a lot, but he does believe the result will put more pressure on him in the future.
"I just do my best with my assignment in the current situation,'' he said.
Now, Hong is likely to direct the Olympic football team for the London Summer Games in 2012, said the Korea Football Association.
"Manager Hong and his coaching staff will stay with the u-23 team,'' a KFA official said.
"Russian Valeri Sarychev, Shin Eui-son in Korean name, who worked as a part-time goalie coach will join, too.''
Hong also talked about his strategy for the Olympic team and admitted that those who impressed as members of the under-20 team will have the inside track in making the squad.
"To bring success at the Olympics, I will check young players who competed in the event continuously,'' he said.
"Others who were not selected to the under-20 team will have to try hard to make the team.''