South Korean national coach Paulo Bento predicted an “appealing and beautiful” game against Portugal this Thursday (3 p.m. Friday), in the final round of Group H of the 2022 World Cup, guaranteeing that his side will do everything they can to win.
“Tomorrow’s game [sexta-feira]apart from natural favoritism [de Portugal], which has the context of already being qualified and with the tie being first in the group, we can only win if we succeed. This is the challenging, beautiful challenge that will test us. Players will do everything to the last. a target [de passar aos oitavos] that it was before the World Cup started,” Paulo Bento began during a press conference.
The coach of the South Koreans was sent off in the second round defeat to Ghana (3-2) and will therefore be absent from the bench at the Education City Stadium, something that will not change since his technical team autonomy to make their own decisions.
“They are people who have been working with me for a long time, involved in the whole process, competent, prepared people who will certainly do everything in their power. They will have autonomy and many of the decisions I make throughout the game are decisions that come from them to me. They will continue to do the same. The players are also identified with that,” he clarified.
Bento guaranteed that because he is “hugely proud” to be Portuguese, he will sing the Portuguese national anthem in the stands, something that is “completely normal for it to happen”.
When asked if it is better to be a player or a coach in a World Cup, Paulo Bento has no doubts and admits that he cannot imagine leading two different teams in two World Cups in his career.
‘I have no doubts about that. Don’t come here [este cargo] as early as. It just takes years off our lives, that’s all. And it makes us put up with people we don’t want. Let them play, let them play. I didn’t think I would be in two World Cups as coach of different countries. I really enjoyed both, but now more than in 2014 [com Portugal]🇧🇷 You can only handle this by enjoying it to the fullest,” he confessed.
Central defender Kim Young-gwon also attended the conference to speak about Portugal national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo, although the Asians’ priority is to “put the passion on the pitch”, as evidenced by the first two matches.
“He is a very high quality player, world class, but to cope I believe we have excellent players. As a team we will do our best to defend and play together. We will apply our plan” , he explained.
Source: DN
