Japan and Iran Concede Goals from Set Pieces in 2023 Asian Cup: What it Means for Korean National Team

[도하=AP/뉴시스] Japan concedes a goal to Vietnam. 2024.01.14.

Japan and Iran, who are expected to compete for the title with Korea in the ‘2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup’, allowed set-piece goals (a tactic of attacking as planned in advance) side by side in the first match of the tournament against teams evaluated as weak. did. This is expected to serve as a reference for the Korean soccer team challenging for the championship.

Japan won 4-2 in the first match of Group D of the tournament against Vietnam held at Altumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on the 14th (Korean time).

Although they ultimately won, Japan had a difficult game, trailing 1-2 at one point. In particular, the set piece defense was unstable.

In the 16th minute of the first half, Japan was unable to block a sensational header from new Vietnamese striker Nguyen Dinh Bac while defending a corner kick, allowing a 1-1 equalizer. The Japanese defense missed Nguyen Dinh Bac running toward the goal, and Dinh Bac scored with an exquisite header that only changed direction.

Vietnam’s second goal also came from a set piece. Vietnam took a 2-1 lead in the 33rd minute of the first half thanks to Pham Tuan Hai’s comeback goal from a free kick. Bui Hoang Viet An headed the free kick in front of the goal, and Pham Tuan Hai rushed in to score. In the process, Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who had little experience in international matches, scored the goal with a clumsy punch.

Iran, considered a favorite along with Japan, also conceded a goal from a set piece. Iran beat Palestine 4-1 in the first match of Group C held at Education City Stadium on the 15th.

Iran, who scored three goals in the first half and took a 3-0 lead, conceded a goal by clumsily handling the ball when defending a free kick in the 6th minute of added time in the first half. When Palestine sent a free kick in front of the Iranian goal, Iranian midfielder Ezzatolahi tried to clear it with a header, but the ball flew toward the Iranian goal. Palestinian midfielder Tamer Seyam did not miss this and hit the net with a header.

As Japan and Iran conceded goals from set pieces against weaker teams, the Korean national team, which is likely to meet them in the tournament, needs to further refine its set piece tactics.

Lee Kang-in, who uses accurate and sharp kicks, is expected to handle set pieces, and it seems necessary to threaten Japan and Iran’s goals through corner kicks and free kicks. In situations where the difference in performance is not large and there is a tight game, set pieces can be the key to winning or losing.

Attention is being paid to whether Klinsmann can find a trick to exploit the weaknesses of the championship contenders’ set-piece defense.

[알라이얀=AP/뉴시스] Palestine scores a consolation goal against Iran. 2024.01.15.

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2024-01-15 07:57:56

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