The class of Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), who became the first Asian defender to be named among the 30 candidates for the Ballon d’Or, an award given to the best soccer player, was exceptional. He returned to the national team after six months and played a key role in keeping scoreless in two consecutive games.카지노
The Korean men’s national soccer team won 1-0 in a friendly match against Saudi Arabia held at St. James Park in Newcastle, England, on the 13th. They secured victory by holding on to Cho Gyu-seong’s (Midtjylland) first goal in the 32nd minute of the first half, but the process was by no means smooth. Although they were significantly ahead in terms of numbers, such as the number of shots fired (18-7), they struggled in terms of game content, giving up scoring opportunities to the opponent due to several missed passes.
The person who completely prevented this mistake was Kim Min-jae. Kim Min-jae continued to cut off the flow of Saudi attacks by predicting the opponent’s pass route, taking full advantage of his ability to run first and block. When he was frustrated with his offensive development, he would dribble out on his own and look for opportunities.
In particular, the second half was so dazzling that it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was Kim Min-jae’s one-man show. At the start of the second half, Kim Min-jae quickly moved up to the front left and took a corner kick. Later, when Saudi Arabia attacked, he moved to the last line and cut off the opponent’s pass. In the 28th minute of the second half, Saudi Arabia’s Ali Hazazi penetrated into the space behind the Korean defense, but Kim Min-jae covered it with a struggle and did not allow a chance. At the end of the second half, most of the Korean players were low on stamina and their movements were noticeably slower, but Kim Min-jae even showed his fighting spirit by throwing his body to block all of Saudi Arabia’s attacks.
As soon as Kim Min-jae moved to Naples (Italy) ahead of the 2022-2023 season, he performed tremendously, winning the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years. Accordingly, leading big clubs showed interest in Kim Min-jae before the start of this season, and he eventually transferred to Bayern Munich, the pride of German soccer. On the 7th, he became the first Asian defender to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
Kim Min-jae, who was criticized by public opinion for comments suggesting his retirement from the national team during the March A match, did not attend the June A match to receive military training. In the two June international matches played without Kim Min-jae, Korea showed defensive instability and conceded both goals, failing to achieve even a single win.
The national team, with Kim Min-jae returning after 6 months, showed several uneasiness in the 2 international matches, but did not give up a single goal to the opponent. Kim Min-jae’s performance, who played full-time in both games, played a decisive role.