Harrison, New Jersey – With the national team for the American men and South Korea in the capital area in New York this week, the World Cup is only nine months away. Al -Wadid on Saturday between the two sides, though, will also host a reunion between two previously Tottenham Hotspur Numbers in son Hyung Min, South Korean leader, and Mauricio PoCittino, now USMnt coach.
The couple worked together from 2015 to 2019 in northern London, where his son joined the club before the official Poittino season and soon became a key player in Tottenham. South Korea international scored 75 goals and achieved 37 assists before Pochttino separated in 2019, including the four goals he scored on its way to the Champions League final that year. This will not be the first time that couple will be opponents, and this is distinguished for the time of Poittino responsible for Chelsea During the 2023-24 season, it is still an unfamiliar scene.
“It is not easy to see and play against him,” Sun said on Friday. “When I was a young child, he trained me so much [made] The player is the way I am now, so I have a lot, a lot of respect [for] for him. It is strange to play against him. It is clear in the Premier League, we played [against him] Several times when he was in Chelsea. In the national team, this is the first time that I look forward to seeing it. It is clear that we do not want to give anything. We want to win the game, but it is always good to see Poch. ”
The feeling was mutual for Poittino, who previously admitted that day that he was admired years before working together in Tottenham.
“It will be a great opportunity to see each other,” Pochettino said. “We really love each other. [He] He was a very important player, one of the most important players during the Tottenham period. I was also always chasing him because when I was in Southampton too, I wanted to sign [him] But he decided to go to a different club. He moved from Hamburg to [Bayer] Leverkusen [in 2013]. When we moved to Tottenham, we chased him again and convinced us [him] To join us in Tottenham. After 10 years, his relationship with Tottenham is one of the best players in the world. He is a great player but a great and unbelievable person, it will really be really Cute – Good“
The couple will meet after weeks of completing the MLS record from Spears to LAFC, making him a specific expert in South Korea in the host nation for the World Cup, although he admitted that he was still in the early days of his American adventure.
He said, “I was only three weeks here.” “There are limited things to participate. This is the first time that you are here in this city.”
It is expected that the son of the influence in MLS, although, it is not likely to attract more eyes to the league as one of its most prominent stars, Poittino has argued that it increases the legitimacy of the playing level.
“What will add to MLS, I think this type of players will help the development of the game,” Pochettino said. “Certainly, he will be an example of his teammates, but also for the players who face him during the competition … If you have the opportunity yesterday to watch the game, Argentina And venezuela, [Lionel] Messi is the best player in the world, and if he is playing here, I think the level is really good. I don’t say it is the best in the world, but it can match other league championships in the world but now add the son as well [says] The level grows and develops is really good. “
South Korea’s journey sets a new stage in preparing the World Cup
Saturday’s friendly is a mutual benefit for both teams, especially with the World Cup in mind. South Korea is the first USMNT opponent who has already qualified for the 2026 competition as a non -host country and provides a different tactical challenge after spending most of the last year in the face of Concacaf teams, but it is possible that visitors are the first to hope to get North America’s taste before they went to the continent in late spring.
Photographer Sports Stadium, MLS home New York Red Bulls On Saturday, the Wadod site will not host any World Cup matches – this regional discrimination of the near Metlife stadium is preserved, which will host the final. South Korea will be the first among many visiting national teams like JapanUSMnt discount on Tuesday, to somewhat adapt themselves with one of the 2026 host countries. This is in addition to the work of the World Cup scouts camps, the Korean Football Association is likely to be only one of many of their counterparts who already realize the FIFA training sites list before withdrawing.
“The timing will be a little different in the World Cup so that we can feel this weather from time to time in June, we can expect a little [different]The main coach Hong Meongo said through a translator. “At the present time, we are trying to prepare for training camps. With regard to the environment, there are some candidates, so we are preparing well and with the association also trying to choose a base as possible. We are preparing for the basic camps, but we will draw on December 5, so it will be determined after that.”
Meanwhile, Hong said it would be used as friendly on Saturday as an opportunity to experience his list as the World Cup approaches. The exact role of the son of the match is unclear – he made a name for himself during the Tottenham days as a wide player, often as a midfielder in South Korea lists during his 15 -year career with the national team. This time, though, SON was listed as an attacker, pushing questions about whether he might play a central or not. For his part, the son has no preference.
The son said: “I can do both positions well.” “Both positions are my strength, so whatever the team needs, I will play in this position. This will be the decision of the main coach and I am confident of both positions.”
Instead, the midfielder is the midfielder Jens CastropWho could be the first dual citizen to play with the national team for men in Korea after he made a one -time key as a former German youth. Hong kept his cards near his chest at a time when Castrob played in this window, but he has the first strong impression of Borussia Monchengladbach player.
“It is a short period, but it was adapting well,” Hong said. “From a tactical point of view, we were talking about movement and making some special orders for him. How much he could play, we will need to make a decision during the match but during training, he showed a really good performance.”
Poittino is very similar to USMnt, although Hong does not speed up things with nine months to go until the World Cup.
“The result is important, but with the result, showing the performance is important,” said the lead coach. “We also have experienced players. Whoever we play with them is really important, so this is one of the most powerful opponents we face. This is a strong team. It is about how we can do so Display We did not prepare it. Of course, the result is important but we will try to get both sides, which will be the best thing for our team. “