Jürgen Klinsmann’s Germany national soccer team is set to embark on a two-match road trip this month. The team will depart the country via Incheon International Airport on Thursday (Sept. 4) and will travel to England to begin preparations for the A-Match trials.스포츠토토
The team will take on the Welsh National Team in Cardiff, Wales at 3:45 a.m. on Aug. 8. The team will then travel to Newcastle, England, to take on Asian powerhouse Saudi Arabia at 1:45 a.m. on the 13th. The four-day departure is for the domestic squad, while the international squad, including the Europeans, will converge on Cardiff for the first game.
The team mood is somewhat heavy. Klinsmann’s prolonged stay abroad has been controversial, and the squad was announced in writing without a press conference, which has generated a lot of negative publicity. The public’s favorable view of the team is quickly fading, as the team has played four A-match trials during the two previous A-match days and drawn two (2-2).
To make matters worse, Michael Kim, the only link between the former coach and the current coaching staff, has decided to step down, reducing the chances of the ‘Bento legacy’ being utilized in the new team. Kim, who was in charge of monitoring and recruiting the national team’s domestic talent, stepped down, leaving that role to the newest member of the coaching staff, Chaduri.
The good news amongst the misfortunes is that the attacking line, which was gaping with holes ahead of the September A-match trials, can breathe a little easier with some positive changes.
The most welcome news is the return of striker Cho Kyu-sung (Meatwillan). He started the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference playoffs against Legia Warsaw in Warsaw, Poland, on Feb. 2, and played the full 120 minutes of regulation time before taking part in the penalty shootout.
While he didn’t record an offensive point and didn’t prevent his team from losing, the mere fact that he was on the field for an A-match trial is good news for Klinsmann’s side, as he had previously been rehabbing from a thigh injury.
Another frontline goalkeeper, Hwang Eui-jo, has revealed his hopes of a comeback with the transfer. After struggling for first-team opportunities at Nottingham Forest, Hwang made a surprise loan move to Norwich City at the close of the Europa League summer transfer window.
With attacking ace Son Heung-min (Tottenham) proving his class by scoring a hat-trick for his club before joining the national team, and defender Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) playing his first full-time game since joining the team, Klinsmann’s shoulders have been lightened by the consistent performances of the core members of the defense.
What remains to be seen is how much the rest of the squad, including Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Oh Hyun-gyu (Celtic) and Hwang In-beom (Olympiakos), can improve their form. For Klinsmann, who will be looking for his first win since taking over in September’s away A-match, it will be crucial to overcome two major variables: the absence of an integral flanker and an injury to his top two strikers.
No Responses