Bonfrere going it alone?

[Holyjoe]

Bonfrere Confidant He Can Lead Without Assistant

english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200412/200412020043.html

The Dutchman charged with leading South Korea's national football team to glory in next year's World Cup tournament denied Thursday that there was a managerial vacancy to fill.
" have no intention to employ another Korean coach for the time being to replace Huh Jung-moo, who has recently resigned," said Jo Bonfrere at a press conference at the Korea Football Association building in Seoul, Thursday

He was there to discuss his plans to leave for the United States in January to put the team through their paces and prepare for the final round of preliminaries ahead of next year¡¯s World Cup. Bonfrere returned to Korea after leaving for China early last week to have his working visa reissued.

The Dutchman did well to field questions from a press audience hungry for his views on managerial and player line-ups, as reporters showed they were keen to know what tactics he was considering to help the South repeat their unparalleled home performance in 2002 when they reached the semi-finals against Germany.

What do you think about the resignation of the coach, Hun Jung-moo?

I'm sorry about that. As far as I know, he resigned for personal reasons. He wanted to concentrate on running a football center that he opened. He helped me a lot in selecting players and leading the team, but I have made all decisions so far. When I first came to Korea, he advised me a lot about characteristics of Korean players and their playing styles. I really appreciate that. The rumor that he and I have been on bad terms is groundless."

When do you plan to select a coach to replace Huh?

I will not name a coach for the time being, and focus on preparing for a match with Germany on Dec. 19 and conducting training in the U.S. in January. Because national players belonging to foreign teams are not allowed to participate in overseas training, only those playing at domestic teams will join it. It is necessary to discuss with the KFA technical committee to name a coach, but if I have no problems with leading the team, I will not name a coach."

The national team did not do well in the second round of preliminaries for the World Cup. When can the nation see your style of playing football?

I prefer aggressive playing. I hope that we could win every game 5 to 0. Despite my hope, the Korean national team has a problem with using a decisive chance to make goals. I will train players to perform offensive plays in various ways and improve their skills in preparation for the final preliminary next year."

There is great concern over the change of generations. What do you think about that?

The ideal age for football players is between 24 and 28 based on Europe's standards. We have only three players in their 30s - Yoo Sang-chul, Lee Woon-jae, and Choi Jin-chul. If a team changes five or six players at a time, it would rather have an adverse effect. The change of generations should gradually take place."

There is criticism that you neglect testing players with high potential. What do you think about that?

We had to win the Asian preliminaries. So, I could not risk testing young players at such important games because they could make a mistake. The training in the U.S. will be a good opportunity for both young players and me."

Which teams do you want to be in the same category as the Korean team for the final round of preliminaries?

It does not matter which teams are in the same category as us because there are no longer weak or strong teams. The gap between weak and strong teams has gotten narrow. Every team is strong to play with.

What do you think about forming a single South-North Korean team?

I am a sportsman and do not want to get involved in politics. To form a single team, there may be necessary procedures to go through. But we do not have much time after the final round of preliminaries, so I think it would be very difficult to form a single team. If this takes place very quickly and I can be sure that a single Korean team is stronger, I will not mind leading the team."

[Colombian]

A unified Korean team? has anyone seen a North Korean player good enough to be in the South's national team?
I can see that really killing off the team... fielding 5 north koreans not because they are good, but to fill political quotas. -I bet Kim Il sung would be offended if the 'unified' team included only one player, as the third Goalkeeper...

[nyujeelandsaram]

Well given how crap the south korean team is playing and how north korea walked through their group the gap can't be that big.

Perhaps we'll find out soon?

[SteveW]

Has anyone seen a North Korean player...erm...at all??

[nyujeelandsaram]

I saw the game a couple of years ago? when they played South Korea at Sangam.

Pathetic draw.

Don't know if any of the same players are in the north team still but they were knocking it about just like any south korean team in the K-League.

No idea if any of them are really good though.

[Colombian]

i seem to remember the south youth team loosing against the north in asian competition

[Holyjoe]

South Korea U20 thumped North Korea U20 3-0 in Seogwipo at the end of 2003.

The friendly between South and North at Sangam was a joke - South players looked like they were firing wide on purpose (though that's hard to tell.. ho hum) in an effort to play out a 0-0 draw.

In September the North Korean U16s beat South Korea 1-0 in the Asian U17 tournament in Japan.

These are a few photos from the 0-0 game at Sangam

[Ed.]

Still, I can't see Kim Il-sung complaining too much. ;D

[nyujeelandsaram]

Ed. said:

Still, I can't see Kim Il-sung complaining too much. ;D

I think he's been stuffed and they've put a robot in his head.

So he's still runnin the country then.

[Canuckistan]

I don't think its actually possible to form a unified team without special approval from FIFA. The teams are already well into competition. How can you change the rules of the competition in mid-stream.
From what I know this was all manufactured by one reporter asking the NK coach about it, him felling awkward and just answering that he thought the Koreas should be together - not in regards about football.
Since that time the Korean press has gone wild and if you look at the official comments from the KFA they all say nothing about forming a team? Has anyone seen anyhting from FIFA or the AFC on this?
Still the idiot reporters at the sports papers go on like its about to happen.
Total manufacture job like Ahn going to Lazio before the injury (no comments from Italy, or from the fascists that would hate the man that knocked out the Azzuri at the World Cup playing in their uniform.)
I also thought you fellas here would be picking up on this. Snap to it.

Oh yeah, now when you hit The Times I don't care cause I've left it. ;D

[nyujeelandsaram]

Fifa would gladly change the rules if they think it'll shower their org in glory I'd say.

[Colombian]

Canuckistan said:

Oh yeah, now when you hit The Times I don't care cause I've left it. ;D

you left? so that's two out... Sweeny and Carrol.. who's next? where are u going now?

[nyujeelandsaram]

Once you leave the Korea Times it's all down hill from there.

Mind you any newspaper that prints an opinion piece by yours truly has got major problems.

[Ed.]

Colombian said:

you left? so that's two out... Sweeny and Carrol.. who's next? where are u going now?

Not so fast...