Klinsmann's goal is clear. In Qatar, we aim to become the first Asian leader in 64 years. After tempering in Korea, we leave for the Middle East and embark on a roadmap. Overseas teams, including Son Heung-min, are summoned on site.
On the 11th, the Korea Football Association (KFA) announced the schedule for the '2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup' finals. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann and the national team will begin their final preparations ahead of the Asian Cup, which will open in Qatar on January 12th next year.
According to KFA, the Klinsmann will conduct convocation training mainly for domestic players starting December 26. The association's press release announced that convocation training would be held near Seoul, but Mokdong, which was preparing for the second Asian qualifier for the FIFA North and Central America World Cup in November, is the most likely. The list of convocation trainings focusing on domestic players will be announced on the 18th.
The elite entries, including overseas players such as Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur) and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), are scheduled to be announced in the last week of December. After the list is assembled, they will depart for training in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 2 next year and begin to adapt to the Middle East.
One evaluation match will be held during the training period. An official evaluation match was planned for January 6th. Although the final sparring opponent has not been confirmed, it is highly likely that they will meet the power they will face at the Asian Cup knockout stage (tournament) level.
Players playing overseas will be called up in Abu Dami, UAE. As we gear up for the Asian Cup starting January 2, it is highly likely that each club will be asked to convene on this day. In this case, Premier Leaguer Son Heung-min will join without playing in the FA Cup.
Afterwards, they will enter Qatar, where the Asian Cup finals will be held, on January 10. After conducting final training in Qatar, the team will begin the first group match against Bahrain on January 15th. The second group match against Jordan will be held on January 20th, and the final group match against Malaysia, led by coach Kim Pang-gon, will be held on January 25th.
Director Klinsmann's goal is clear. Korea has never lifted a trophy since winning the inaugural tournament in 1956 and the second tournament in 1960. They were on the verge of winning the trophy in the 2015 Australian tournament under coach Stielike, but ended up finishing in second place after conceding a goal after a fierce overtime struggle.
Coach Klinsmann met with 'SPOTV News' in Singapore ahead of the international match in November and said, "If you were a club team manager, you would ask for the player you want, but the national team is different. There are players who have been to the World Cup and there are changes in the roster. There are players who are different from the club team manager. He is enjoying the opportunity to be selected as the national team coach. The core line is being prepared. On the right is Seol Young-woo, in central defense is Kim Min-jae, and on the left is Ki-je Lee. In the center, Yong-woo Park is being used. The defensive line is well protected. Hwang In-beom is 6. Although I was worried until February, I moved to a good team and am playing in the Champions League. There are Jung Woo-young and Hwang Hee-chan on the side. Oh Hyun-gyu, Hwang Ui-jo, and Cho Kyu-sung are in the front line. The framework is gradually forming. The attackers are able to break through 1-on-1. “Even if there is a risk, I think I should make bold moves and moves that can score goals. The puzzle is coming together on the journey to the Asian Cup. I am confident of winning the Asian Cup,” he said.
