Goyang (South Korea), Sep 6: South Korean defender Lee Yong said on Thursday his teammates are eager to display their talent to the new head coach and that will lead to good performances in the upcoming friendly match against Costa Rica.
Lee is one of the 24 footballers who were selected by Paulo Bento for South Koreas friendly matches against Costa Rica and Chile. South Korea will first take on Costa Rica on Friday and then face Chile four days later, reports Yonhap news agency.
Lee said the players are set to deliver positive results in Bentos South Korea coaching debut.
I think he (Bento) has passion and strong character, Lee said during a press conference at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, north of Seoul, where South Korea will host Costa Rica.
Since the new coach has arrived, the players are eager to show their forte and skills, so I think well have a good game.
The Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors right-back, who has 31 caps, said the players are also determined to absorb what Bento teaches during training.
Whether its offense or defense, I think he is very straight forward in tactics, he said.
Whether its about pressing or defense positioning, he is also detailed. Its important for us to understand his football philosophy quickly.
Lee, who played in all three of South Koreas matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, said he likes Bentos approach of telling the players what to do in detail and showing customized methods to make improvements.
Bento brought four backroom staff members with him when signing with South Korea. They are chief assistant coach Sergio Costa, assistant coach Filipe Coelho, goalkeeping coach Vitor Silvestre and fitness coach Pedro Pereira.
Bento and his coaching staff tell us what to do one by one, and theyre very systematic, he said. They told me things that I should do when Im doing my personal training. Theyre very helpful.
