Hiddink’s Memoir 3- Victory after Failure of Confederation Cup, Gold Cup

Earlier this year, many people criticized me after the North American Gold Cup. However, the Gold Cup was the time for the players to prove their abilities. Some players were able to prove their abilities and some weren’t. And the Gold Cup was the time for players playing overseas could not join the national team. In fact, the Korean team’s play was not that bad, but they did not make a good impression, either. It was because Korean players did not have skills or powers to attack the opponents effectively.

I accept sound criticism. I also welcome comments from people who have different opinions on my way of training the players. It is natural in a democratic country for the press to give sound criticism. However, I was upset when I saw an article that tried to break our team into pieces with things that were not even happened. The article about me fighting with Dr. Lee could be an example. I told the reporter who wrote that article, “come and prove it,” but I could not see him ever again. Dr. Lee is one of my best

Korean friends.

And right before the opening of the World Cup, there was an article saying that Choi, Yong-Soo refused to practice because he was discontented of my way of managing the team. I told that reporter, “You are not even a reporter. From now on, do not even bother to come to my interview.” I thought that was so brutal, so I apologized to him the very next day. However, how is it possible to write that kind of article? Choi, Yong-Soo was a benchwarmer because of injury, but he always was the first to run into the ground and be pleased with the team’s victory. I still don’t understand some people’s intention to break the team before the important tournament.

I anticipated a severe criticism after we lost to France 0-5 in the Confederations Cup. It was because I misjudged the strategy of France. Since France had a one top instead of two tops, we were outnumbered in the midfield and allowed too many corner kicks and free kicks. I assume the responsibility for the result and enjoy the severe criticism. But there was no article about that. It was actually too soft.

Once again, I accept criticism. The press is very influential to the people. It should be responsible for it.

Some people seemed not to understand my long-term goals. While I was testing the players arranging them into many different positions, they criticized me saying, “Until when do you just test them?” However, the players who managed to play in different positions played very well in this World Cup.

I accentuated after we lost to the Czech Republic 0-5 again, “We should continue to play against strong teams.” It is cheating to myself to accumulated wins against weak opponents. We will be able to win against strong teams if we continue to play against strong teams. However, many people could not understand me. They criticized me that the players might loose their confidence instead.

The Korean team will have slump for a while. It is because of shift in generations. The old players such as Hwang, Sun-Hong and Hong, Myung-Bo should retire and replaced by younger players, but it will take time. We need to give the new manager, whoever that might be, some time. We need to see the young players with affection although they make mistakes.

There was a severe criticism about selecting players as well. I gave Kim, Byung-Ji a hard time but there were reasons to do that. I emphasized on individual skills, team tactics, and mental power to my players. Among them, the mental power is the most important thing. Although a player has good skills, he is not qualified as a member of the national team if he ruins the team play. It was same to Ahn, Jung-Hwan, too. The press sometimes overrated some star players and actually took away their chances to develop their abilities. Ahn, Jung-Hwan corrected his mistakes by himself and played well in this World Cup. I could not give Kim, Byung-Ji a chance because his condition was not as good as Lee, Woon-Jae right before the World Cup. It was not because Kim, Byung-Ji played worse than Lee, Woon-Jae.

I know that many people were disappointed that some players such as Lee, Dong-Kuk or Ko, Jong-Soo were not included in the list. Once again, I did many tests on the players till I decided the final entry. And at the end, I had to choose only 23 players. Of course, I will include everyone in the entry if I could select 27 or 28 players. However, I had to balance the players by the positions since the entry was limited. If I had selected 5 or 6 strikers, that many midfielders or defenders would have been short. It could have broken the balance of the team. That’s why Lee, Dong-Kuk was out. We lost the competition with other strikers. Ko, Jong-Soo is in different situation. He was not in a condition to play because of injuries.

I, however, do not underestimate Lee, Dong-Kuk’s ability. I personally explained to him about this unavoidable situation a night before I announced the list. I hope to see him at the World Cup 2006.

A reporter from Dong-A Ilbo asked me during the Gold Cup that how high I could lead the Korean football if I had chance to manage the national team for four more years. I answered, “I will make this team to a top tem team in the FIFA ranking.”

It was a difficult time but I had a confidence on the Korean football. A manager, especially a manager who leads a national team should have a long-term vision. Therefore, he could be lonely. The Korean press and fans will understand this now. If a new manager comes, we need to give him some time. I think that’s the only way to help the Korean team.

Keuk-In Bae Chi-Young Shin bae2150@donga.com higgledy@donga.com