“I will finish it in 90 minutes” If you miss the ‘crucial opportunity’, you will face hardships again.

Korean national soccer team striker Cho Kyu-sung and Son Heung-min.

“The match against Jordan will be decided within 90 minutes.”

The Korean national soccer team, led by coach Jurgen Klinsmann, will play the semifinals of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, at midnight on the 7th (Korean time).

The process for Korea to reach the semifinals was not easy. Korea, which fell short of expectations with 1 win and 2 draws in the group stage, won with 4PSO2 in the first game of the knockout stage, the round of 16 against Saudi Arabia, after a fierce battle that went all the way to a penalty shootout. Then, in the quarterfinals against Australia, after a close game that went into overtime, Son Heung-min (Tottenham) scored a free kick to win 2-1.

The team's morale is rising with two dramatic wins, but physical strength is bound to be a concern. It is such a difficult schedule that even Son Heung-min said after the game against Australia, “This is the first time I have played overtime twice in a row as a soccer player.”

Director Klinsmann also knows this well. Accordingly, Coach Klinsmann declared after the victory against Australia, “We will finish the next game within 90 minutes.” Starting midfielder Hwang In-beom (Zvezda) also pledged, “Under any circumstances, I will not go to overtime and will fight the game within 90 minutes.”

Directed by Jürgen Klinsmann of Korea.

In order for Korea to achieve the desired victory within 90 minutes, they must capitalize on decisive opportunities at the front.

According to soccer statistics company 'Foot Mob', in this tournament, Korea had an average possession rate (69.7%), effective shots per game (7.2), accurate passes per game (673.2), crosses per game (7.8), and decisive chances created (16). It ranks first in most attack indicators. The team's score is 11 points, the second highest after Japan (12 points).

However, Korea is ranked first in this category, having missed crucial scoring opportunities as many as nine times. This is an indicator that even if the ball is occupied and the attack continues, the decisive goal opportunity cannot be converted into a score.

In the second group match against Jordan held on the 20th of last month, Korea took a total of 23 shots, 7 of which were effective shots, but did not score a single field goal. At that time, Korea tied 2-2 due to a penalty kick and the opponent's own goal.

In the return match, the attackers have to show a different side from before, but fortunately, they are showing signs of survival.

Son Heung-min scored a goal in a non-penalty kick against Australia, and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) played 105 minutes and showed his health. In addition, Cho Gyu-seong (Midtjylland) is worth looking forward to as he broke his goal silence in the round of 16 against Saudi Arabia.

In the match against Jordan, Korea's main defender Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) was unable to play due to accumulated yellow cards, raising concerns about a weakened defense. Therefore, the attackers must convert their opportunities into goals in order to run the game in a stable and leisurely manner and advance to the finals. 19가이드03