Yongin:Following a goalless draw against Venezuela, South Korean defender Kim Min-jae expressed dissatisfaction with his team's effort, criticizing the national team's lack of competitiveness and urging teammates to play harder. Despite a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan on Tuesday, Kim, who sat out due to fatigue, likely remained unimpressed as South Korea struggled against the underdog at Yongin Mireu Stadium.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea faced challenges controlling the match against Uzbekistan, ranked 59th in the live FIFA rankings. Though Son Heung-min scored an early goal from a free kick due to a handball by an Uzbek defender, South Korea failed to capitalize on the momentum. Uzbekistan, showing greater speed and aggression, outshot the home team and dominated possession.
The South Korean side lacked cohesion in their buildup plays, while Uzbekistan frequently threatened with counterattacks. The visiting team finished with 12 shot attempts, surpassing South Korea's total. Goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo's performance was critical in preventing Uzbekistan from scoring, making crucial saves before being substituted in the 84th minute.
Substitutes Song Min-kyu and Oh Se-hun injected energy into the South Korean offense, connecting in the 60th minute for the second goal. Despite this, the team displayed limited offensive organization throughout the match.
Under caretaker boss Robert Moreno, South Korea has had mixed results in the FIFA match window, with their performance sparking debate on Moreno's future. His tenure began with a 3-0 win over Ecuador, followed by a 4-1 loss to Uruguay and the draw against Venezuela. Moreno's contract runs through November, with his future contingent on upcoming performances.
Team captain Son Heung-min acknowledged the team's struggles post-Venezuela but saw a positive in the players' passion and commitment. He emphasized that the situation created an opportunity to improve and compete harder.