“The first word I learned after coming to Korea is confidence. When I came to Korea in 2019, the confidence of the women’s national team was low, but now I’ve come this far. At this year’s World Cup, I want to climb as high as I can.”
Colin Bell, head coach of the women’s national soccer team, answered the question of how working together for a long time helps at a New Year’s press conference held at the Soccer Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 26th ahead of the FIFA 2023 Australia-New Zealand Women’s World Cup. The organizational power that has grown stronger over the years, and the confidence that came from last year’s first ever runner-up in the Asian Cup was evident. Even at the World Cup, he was determined to dominate the opponent with the Korean team’s unique, organized and quick movement, and high tactical execution ability.
Coach Bell said earlier that his goal for this World Cup last year was to reach the semifinals. At the press conference that day, he said, “First of all, it is important to focus on the first match against Colombia.” I hope we don’t feel small or intimidated by our team,” she said.
Under coach Bell, the women’s national team has been playing ‘active soccer’, which puts emphasis on strong pressure, quick return to defense, and offense. Coach Bell said, “We need to take a preemptive approach to who the players can play, how the game is run, and how to change the situation.” It’s not right to hold the line. You need to be flexible if you want to play proactively and win,” she said.
As a foreign coach, Paulo Bentuho’s success is also good news for Bell. Bell said Bentujo’s success was not particularly motivating or burdensome. He said, “Korea, the association, players, and staff all motivate me,” he said. “I am proud to lead this team to the World Cup. I will do my best to get the best results,” he said. The best performance in Korean women’s soccer was reaching the round of 16 at the 2015 World Cup in Canada. 스포츠토토
The opponents in the group stage are lower than Korea (15th), except for Germany (2nd in FIFA rankings). Coach Bell said, “All three teams are well motivated, so there is no opponent to be taken lightly.”
“Colombia (27th) plays raw football, Morocco (76th) is technical and organized,” he said, reflecting cultural characteristics in each play. Germany is a team that is physically complete.”
The greatest strength of the Korean national team, coach Bell said, is the high tactical performance of players regardless of position. He said, “Chu Hyo-joo and Jang Seul-gi play in so many different positions that it is difficult to define whether they are defenders, midfielders, or strikers. Hyeri Kim plays fullback and centerback,” he said.
It is homework to face teams with relatively good physical condition. The Arnold Clark Cup, which will be held in February, is an important test stage to realize the limits and compensate for the weaknesses. In this tournament held in the UK, European powerhouses such as England (4th), Belgium (20th) and Italy (17th), who did not lose a match in 26 matches last year, will participate.
“It will be a challenge for us,” Bell said. It is an opportunity for the players to adapt and get used to the European style. It is important to feel it while bumping into it directly,” he said.
Regarding the management of the national team in the future, he said, “The door is always open, but it is unreasonable to make many changes at this point ahead of the World Cup.”