Bento cries foul as 'physically exhausted' Korea only get 72 hours of rest

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Published: 05 Dec. 2022, 16:29

Bento cries foul as 'physically exhausted' Korea only get 72 hours of rest

Korea's head coach Paulo Bento, left, answers questions next to Korean defender Kim Jin-su during a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Center on the eve of the World Cup round of 16 match between Brazil and Korea in Doha, Qatar on Sunday. [AP/YONHAP]

Son Heung-min, left, Hwang Hee-chan, center, and Hwang In-beom warm up during training on the eve of the World Cup round of 16 match between Brazil and Korea at the Al Egla Training Site 5 in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday. [AP/YONHAP]

Ahead of Korea's round of 16 clash against Brazil, Paulo Bento on Sunday reflected on Korea's match against Portugal while also voicing his opinion on Korea having to play their next match just three days after finishing the group stage.

While Korea was able to beat group favorites Portugal 2-1 in spectacular fashion and edge out Uruguay to take second place in Group H and a spot in the knockout stage, Bento was absent from the sidelines in the final game after he was shown a red card in the wake of Korea's 3-2 defeat to Ghana on Monday.

The Portuguese manager's absense did not prove to be a problem, with the Taeguk Warriors able to prove themselves against world No. 9 Portugal.

"I believe if they needed a lot for me to motivate to play the round of 16 at a World Cup, they'd be in a bad spot," Bento said on Sunday. "What they proved to us in the first three matches is they are more than motivated. I can get more motivation from them than they from me."

Korea is now facing a seriously uphill battle against Brazil in the round of 16. The South American country currently sits atop the FIFA World rankings and is one of the strongest contenders at the World Cup.

Brazil is the most successful country when it comes to the World Cup, having won five titles in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. They have finished second twice, third twice and fourth twice.

"There's only something to win," said Bento. "The only thing we must remember is to show the image of a team that wants to compete and fight until the very last whistle. And there's no doubt in my mind that's what my players will do.

Our strategy tomorrow will be very strategic and theoretical. Based on what we know about Brazil and their tactics and through the videos that we have watched of them playing. The whole process is very long and through this process and communication the players also understand what to do."

However, Bento also mentioned that the World Cup schedule that gave the Taeguk Warriors just two days to tune up for their round of 16 match after finishing the group stage was unfair.

"Unfortunately, we've only had about 72 hours to prepare and I don't think any team would be able to prepare well during this short span of time," said Bento.

"The players are physically exhausted, especially the previous match against Portugal was very emotionally exhausting. The players rested on Saturday and training on Sunday morning. Of course, we feel a burden as a team especially because we will next face Brazil who changed their lineup in the previous match against Cameroon.

I watched the 2018 World Cup and no team played two matches that were less than 72 hours apart. In my opinion, I don't think it's fair to play games after just 72 hours. But it's FIFA's decision to make and we need to accept that decision of course."

The Taeguk Warriors and Brazil have met recently, facing off in a friendly over the summer.

Brazil beat Korea 5-1 at the time, capitalizing on two penalties and a star-studded lineup to take a comfortable victory over an injury-stricken Taeguk Warriors.

"We can't make a direct comparison between a friendly and an official match," said Bento.

"In June, we had a series of limitations and we will have to see if those limitations apply this time around. But Brazil's starting XI and the level of football that they play is not going to be very different. It doesn't make sense to make a direct comparison and I don't think that we should compare this match to the June friendly. Inevitably, the opponents will force us to play close to our box but we will stick to our strategy and do our best."

Brazil's Richarlison, right, and Dani Alves practice during a training session at the Grand Hamad stadium in Doha, Qatar on Sunday. Brazil will face Korea in a World Cup round of 16 match on Monday. [AP/YONHAP]

Brazil's Neymar, right, and Thiago Silva practice during a training session at the Grand Hamad stadium in Doha, Qatar on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. Brazil will face Korea in a World Cup round of 16 match on Monday. [AP/YONHAP]

That friendly lineup had included Brazilian star Neymar, who scored the team's second and third goal during that match. Neymar missed out on Brazil's last two matches after suffering an ankle ligament injury during Brazil's first game against Serbia, but was back in training over the weekend.

Brazil's head coach Tite has since said he expects Neymar to be fit enough to play.

"We would be hypocrites if we said we'd prefer playing with Neymar, that's a lie," said Bento. "We would prefer he wouldn't be in the field of play. However, I believe only the best players should be on the squad. If Neymar doesn't start that would be because of an injury and the head coach would make that decision. Nevertheless, Korea will be facing one of the most talented players in the world."

Korea will face Brazil in the round of 16 match of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar at 10 p.m. Monday local time, or 4 a.m. Tuesday in Korea.

BY YUN SO-HYANG [yun.sohyang@joongang.co.kr]

korea joongAng daily

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Bento cries foul as 'physically exhausted' Korea only get 72 hours of rest

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