Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Belo Horizonte: Head coach Shin Tae-yong believes there is a distinctly bright future for football in Korea Republic despite the country’s Men’s Olympic Football Tournament quarter-final exit on Saturday (local time).
The Taeguk Warriors were sensationally beaten 1-0 in the last eight by Honduras, a game they dominated for large parts and one which saw opposing goalkeeper Luis Lopez put on a superb performance – notably denying striker Son Heung-min on several occasions .
However, having seen his charges roar through the Group Stage thanks to wins over Fiji and Mexico, and a highly creditable draw with semi-finalists Germany, Shin believes there is reason enough to be optimistic about the coming months and years.
"I'm proud of our players for showing great performances although they were seen as the weakest generation in [Korea Republic’s] Olympic football history," Shin, who guided the East Asian nation to a runners-up spot at January’s AFC U23 Championship, told reporters.
"If we can keep up the good work, I think the future of football [in Korea Republic] is bright."
The defeat to Honduras ended Korea Republic hopes of bettering the Olympic bronze they won four years ago in London.
"I'm sorry for letting [Korea Republic] football fans down," Shin explained.
"We played the match without regret, but we need to take a good look at ourselves on our goal scoring skills.
"We prepared a lot for this match, but the Honduran goalkeeper made good saves. I have to comfort forward Son Heung-min, who is extremely sad right now."
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