“We are all ready to make it to the final.”
The South Korean national soccer team, led by head coach Jürgen Klinsmann, will play Jordan in the semifinals of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup at Alayyan Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar at midnight on the 7th (Korea time).
Korea made it to the semifinals after a series of bloody battles in the 120th minute. The team won the match in the round of 16 after a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia, and in the quarterfinals, it won the match 2-1 thanks to Son Heung-min’s free kick goal in the first half of overtime. Both matches achieved miracles by scoring dramatic equalizers in extra time in the second half.
Jordan advanced after defeating Iraq and Tajikistan. In the round of 16 against Iraq, Jordan scored two goals in extra time in the second half to complete the come-from-behind victory of 3-2 and beat Tajikistan 1-0. It is the first time in history that Jordan has advanced to the semifinals at the Asian Cup.
Now, Korea and Jordan will compete for a ticket to the finals. It is a return match for the first time in about two weeks. The two teams already met in the group league. In the first match, the two teams tied 2-2 after a fierce battle.
An official press conference between the two teams was held at the main media center (MMC) in Doha on Thursday, a day before the match. In Jordan, coach Hussein Amota and midfielder Ibrahim Sadeh attended the event.
“It’s going to be a difficult game. All of our players are ready to advance to the finals,” Amota said in a confident voice.
■ The following is a Q&A with Director Amota.
- How do you feel before the game.
It will be a difficult game. Both our team and players are ready to advance to the final.
- Korea is getting stronger through the tournament.
Korea’s potential is tremendous. It has improved mentally, and it has prepared technically and tactically. There will be different games than in the group stage. Korea dominates the game by owning the ball, passing it, and converting quickly. 마카오토토주소
We have other issues within the team as well. But we will try to overcome them. We have to prevent them with tactical preparation, dedication, and united play. I hope we can show the performance we want. Especially in the last minute. Korea made some mistakes in the group stage, against Saudi Arabia and against Australia. I will target that part. Big opportunity can come at the end. We have to concentrate. We have to fight hard. We are ready.
- How is Musa Altamari’s physical condition.
“I excluded players from team training to protect them. It is normal. It has been 48 hours, but I am still training separately. As God wishes (Inshala). I hope he is ready tomorrow. He is our key player. He also has a strong will to play. That is the case with all players. We need everyone’s efforts, not just Altamari.
- South Korea played two consecutive extra games in the round of 16 and the quarterfinals.