National Soccer Team Wins East Asia Championship

The national soccer team Saturday won this year’s East Asia Football Federation Championship.

Korea played Japan to a 1-1 draw in China’s southwestern city of Chongqing, but won the title thanks to a higher goal count. Yeom Ki-hun’s goal put Korea ahead in the 14th minute, but Japan tied the score after Koji Yamase’s blast in the 66th minute.

Korean captain Kim Nam-il was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. He said, “We are gaining back our self-confidence and team morale. Our skills have advanced significantly. Still, we did not have much confidence in ourselves, watching foreign coaches taking the team’s helm. Once Coach Huh took charge, our own culture and team spirit returned.”

Since taking over, Huh has played ten newcomers in A-matches.

Kim said, “At first, it was hard to break the ice with Coach Huh. But we noticed that his coaching style had changed quite a bit. In the past, he was a bit authoritarian. Now, he really cares about us and tries to understand us. He feels like my old folk. His gentle leadership has boosted confidence and morale among us. We will better prepare ourselves for the upcoming World Cup regional qualifier in Pyongyang. We promise a better game.”

Yeom, who shone throughout the tournament, “When Coach Huh commented officially on my weak stamina, the whole world seemed to be crumbling down on me. I promised myself to do my utmost.”

Nicknamed the master of the left foot, Yeom said, “I am not sure about my right-footed maneuvers. I am working on it.”

Park Chu-young, who scored two goals in last week’s 3-2 win over China, said, “Coach Huh keeps telling us how to make a move when I, as an attacker, have the ball and when I do not.”

Defender Gwak Tae-hwi said, “I was lucky enough to score the [winning] goal [against China]. But I think I have a long way to go as defender. I am learning from my mistakes.”

Korea mostly relied on players having no overseas experience, and was led by Yeom, Park and Kim. Experts, however, said the team’s defense remains shaky.

bluesky@donga.com