Former Korean national soccer team coach Tae-wook Choi revealed why manager Paulo Bento had not selected Lee Kang-in for the national team for a long time.
On the 16th, coach Choi Tae-wook appeared as a guest commentator on SBS Sports Broadcasting, the second leg of the final of the ‘2022 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup’ between Vietnam and Thailand.
On this day, while explaining the pressure of Vietnamese strikers, caster Lee Jae-hyung said, “I think Bento emphasized the attackers’ participation in defense.” In response, Coach Tae-wook Choi said, “Coach Bento never selected a non-defending striker. In particular, the front and midfield pressure was considered important.” 안전놀이터
Caster Lee Jae-hyung asked, “(The player) calls the national team when those things improve, but I’m cautious, but isn’t that player Lee Kang-in?”
Then, Coach Tae-wook Choi said, “I knew (Bento coach) that Lee Kang-in was excellent offensively, but he forced me to join the defense and switch more. This part was not filled, so I waited for Lee Kang-in. I grew up. I was able to go to the World Cup by proving myself.”
Caster Lee Jae-hyung agreed, saying, “The expression that Bento waited rather than not choosing it touches me.”
Coach Bento ignored Lee Kang-in for a year and a half until just before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Even if he was named in the World Cup final list, the prevailing opinion was that he would not be used in the World Cup finals. However, coach Bento used Lee Kang-in as a “trump card” in all three group stage matches and round of 16 matches. Lee Kang-in also responded 120% to Bento’s choice. As soon as he was put in as a substitute in the second half of the game against Ghana, he assisted Kyu-Sung Cho’s goal and changed the flow of the game, making a big success in the World Cup.