Korea Republic can end long wait, says Ki

Al Ain: Almost six decades after Korea Republic last won the Continental title, Ki Sung-yueng believes it’s time the country ended their AFC Asian Cup drought.

The Koreans won the AFC Asian Cup in 1956 and 1960 – the first two editions of the competition – but have failed to add a third title to the pair in the 15 instalments of the tournament since.

But the Newcastle United midfielder believes Paulo Bento and his team have the tools to finally bring that run of disappointment to an end in the United Arab Emirates over the coming weeks.

“We’ve been doing well in qualifying for the World Cup but in the Asian Cup we haven’t won in nearly 60 years and that’s way too long for us to not do anything in Asia,” Ki told the-AFC.com. “So we want to get something from this tournament.

“Everyone agrees that we have enough quality to do something at this tournament, but it’s not easy. Even though we’re playing against Asian teams it’s difficult because it’s a different type of game."

“When we play against the sides that are better than us, we stay back but when we play against teams like the Philippines or Kyrgyz Republic they’re going to drop and it can be difficult to break them down.

“We have had to work out how to do that and in the last 16 the tournament becomes very difficult and if you make one mistake you’re going to get punished, so we have to make sure that we concentrate 100 percent in every single game.

“We have to be humble, whoever we play against. We have enough quality but we have to prove it.”

Ki featured in Korea’s opening win over the Philippines but was withdrawn with a hamstring injury. However, he is expected to be fit to return for the Round of 16 meeting with Bahrain as he and his teammates try to go one step further than in 2015, when they lost in extra-time in the final against hosts Australia.

“I’ve been at the Asian Cup three times and the last one was a little bit disappointing and we don’t want to make the same mistakes we made in the final,” he said. “Of course there are some strong teams in the tournament, (Islamic Republic of) Iran, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia. These teams have good qualities. So we have to build our confidence and improve.”

The Koreans have been boosted by the return to the squad of Son Heung-min, who featured in the 2-0 win over China PR that saw Bento’s team notch up a third straight win in the group phase and Ki is confident the Tottenham Hotspur man can make a difference in the quest for the title.

“He’s the player who can change the game and he can score goals, and that’s the most important thing in football,” said Ki. “If you score more than you concede you win and he’s a big boost for us.

“Of course there will be a lot of pressure and a lot of defenders focusing on him but he has enough quality to make himself do something in the game. It’s different here: different weather, different pitches but I still expect he can do something for the team.”

New coach Bento has brought a different approach to the team than his predecessor Shin Tae-yong – who led the country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – and the team has already benefited.

The Taeguk Warriors are unbeaten since Bento took over, winning three and drawing three of their games under the Portuguese coach prior to the tournament, and Ki believes the team is moving in the right direction.

“He’s tried to make the team more attacking,” said Ki. “He wants to go forward, we don’t just want to defend, especially at this kind of tournament. He has made the team play from the back and he likes players who can make something in the game.

“The team isn’t 100 percent built because he’s only been here for four months and it’s not enough time to make the team. But also this is the first tournament for him to play against Asian teams and that’s going to be a good experience for him because he hasn’t experienced these kind of games.

“That’s going to help the manager and how we approach the games. We’re still progressing and building the team.”


Source: the-afc.com