“The team and the players come first. I just want to help the players to the end.”
Choi Tae-ho, manager of Yonsei University, is called a “certified” college stage specialist. Starting as a coach at Yonsei University in 2005, Choi has served as an acting coach and led the team as a coach. He has dug only one “well” at Yonsei for 20 years. He has nurtured countless professional players, including national teams including Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and Jeong Seung-hyeon (Al Wasl), as well as Kim Dong-joon (Jeju United) and Choi Jun (FC Seoul). This is why soccer officials say that he is a leader who teaches players really well.
Choi used to be an authentic striker when he was an active player. When he was a student, he was also ranked No. 1. When he moved to the business field after serving at Yonsei University, there was even a scouting war to catch him. At the 1991 Sheffield Universiade, he led his team to victory by playing as an ace with Hong Myung-bo, the coach of the Korean national team, and others. It was the first time that Korean soccer became No. 1 on the global stage. This is why professionals showed interest in Choi. When he was a coach at Yonsei University, he was often called for love by professionals. However, he chose to join the university.
“I once thought about going professional,” Choi said. “However, I am very happy to be a leader at my alma mater. I wish Yonsei is consistently in the top ranks. I hope it wins regular games every year (laughs). The team produces good results and the players are active in the professional leagues, which is all thanks to the players’ good performance. I just want to help them to the end to keep them from falling into the water. I want to make a proper team so that they can succeed their seniors well both in character and skills.”
In fact, Yonsei produced one of the greatest games ever in this year’s regular matches against Korea University. Yonsei led the game 1-0 and allowed an equalizer in the 48th minute, the extra time in the second half. Korea could have won the overall title just by drawing in soccer. It seemed as if the game would end as it was. At that moment, Yonsei scored a dramatic finishing goal at 52 minutes in the second half, just before the game ended. Yonsei won 2-1. For Korea, it was a “shock” and Yonsei was a “miracle.”
However, the current reality of college football is not easy. There are two reasons. Currently, scouting is completely prohibited. Also, some of the good players are “calling up” to the professional stage during the season and leave. Nevertheless, Yonsei has consistently maintained its top-ranked performance every year.
“It’s not me who picks the best players. We don’t know which players will join until the final successful candidates are announced. In the end, we need to quickly grasp the merits and demerits of the new players. We decide what tactics and formation to use through the winter training. We need to set the system according to the players we join.”
He said, “I want to have at least two players in one place. We are preparing for changes in case of injuries or leaks. Also, we have to rotate all the players unconditionally during practice games. That way, players can maintain their sense of play. They have the power to endure in real games. We are trying to reduce the difference in squads.”
Choi never neglects to study in order to play good soccer. “You have to watch K-League games. You have to follow that trend to help players adapt easily when they go to the professional stage. The role of a university coach is for players to advance into the professional leagues. They should not miss the tactics or position training that they can adapt to when they go to the professional leagues. They used to watch a lot of Primera Liga games in Spain. Now they watch a lot of English Premier League games. When you look at the English Premier League, you can feel the speed. Players on the side have a good opportunity only when they break through. You can pass and get to the box. However, in the end, you have to beat one or two players. If that happens, the players around you will also be more comfortable in playing soccer.” 토토사이트
Yonsei University will have a U-League match against Incheon National University on Wednesday. “We didn’t have good performance in the last three games. We had an underwater match recently, and I think we’ve lost our condition since then,” Choi said. “We are focusing on two things ahead of the match. They are teamwork and mental strength of defense. Seniors have physical challenges such as employment. I think I put more energy into my body because I want to do well. I will prepare well.”