Despite resounding wins, S. Korean Olympic football coach not satisfied with offense

INCHEON, April 2 (Yonhap) -- In defeating three overmatched opponents last month to take a crucial first step toward the men's football tournament at the 2016 Olympics, South Korea scored 12 goals and gave up none.

Yet Shin Tae-yong, the team's head coach, said Thursday he still wasn't satisfied with his production.

"We dominated every game, and everyone was beyond reproach," Shin told reporters at Incheon International Airport upon returning from Indonesia, where South Korea manhandled Brunei, Timor-Leste and Indonesia to clinch a spot in the AFC U-23 Championship next January. It will double as Asia's qualifying tournament for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

"We outshot our opponents by a huge margin, and we played aggressive football," the coach added. "But given the way we overwhelmed the other teams, we weren't quite sharp around the net. We should have scored more goals."

At the AFC U-23 Championship, South Korea must finish in the top three to advance to the Summer Games. South Korea won the bronze medal at the previous Olympics in 2012, its first-ever medal in men's football.

To reach the podium again, Shin said each player has to take care of himself better.

"This time, the players lived up to my expectations for the most part, but I honestly don't know if they will be able to play as well at the U-23 Championship," the coach added. "I hope the players can maintain their form on their respective clubs. No one else can do it for them."

South Korea strung together three consecutive victories without the services of Ryu Seung-woo, midfielder for the second-tier German club Eintracht Braunschweig. Considered among the most gifted South Korean players in his age group, the 21-year-old suffered a partially torn knee ligament in a league match just before he was to join South Korea in Indonesia.

According to Shin, South Korea will travel to Vietnam for a friendly match in May.

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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