[AK View] The Final Warning from the Empty Seats at Sangam

No More Excuses for Korean Football

Kwangho Lee, Head of Culture and Sports Team.

The stands at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Sangam, which can accommodate 64,000 spectators, were nearly empty. Although it was a friendly match against Paraguay, only about 22,000 tickets were sold. The reason for the once red-filled stadium now appearing so deserted is not simply because it was an unpopular match. The shock of the 0-5 defeat to Brazil just a few days ago still lingers, and disappointment and distrust have deeply taken root in the hearts of fans. The current national team has lost the public’s trust.

The crushing defeat against Brazil was more painful in its content than in the result itself. The defensive line wavered at every moment, and the midfield was helpless against the opponent’s pressing. Forward passes were blocked, and the attack looked lethargic. Although possession was high, there was no real threat. After the match, the players’ faces showed a loss of confidence, and the question naturally arose: “Is this team truly preparing for the World Cup?”

Doubts about Coach Hong Myungbo’s leadership are also growing. While he has sufficient experience as a manager, his recent leadership seems to have lost direction. The starting eleven changes with every match, and tactics have lost consistency. Experimentation is necessary, but if those experiments are perceived as ‘confusion,’ it becomes problematic. The players repeatedly fail to anticipate each other’s movements and seem to play without fully understanding the coach’s intentions. This is not just a tactical issue, but a communication problem.

Leadership comes before tactics. No matter how sophisticated a system may be, it cannot function without the trust of its members. The recent undercurrents of dissatisfaction within the national team and the lethargic attitude displayed during matches all point to a breakdown in communication. If the coach does not explain the ‘why’ to the players, and the players cannot ask the coach ‘how,’ the team cannot grow any further.

The low pass completion rate, frequent breakdowns in connection, and repeated turnovers in the second line all ultimately stem from a lack of organization. These are not simply technical errors, but the result of a breakdown in tactical understanding. With the starting eleven changing every time, players do not have the opportunity to learn each other’s positions and timing. This is a stark contrast to the national team’s heyday, when players could coordinate with just a glance during matches.

Physical conditioning issues cannot be overlooked either. As the match progresses into the second half, the intensity of pressing drops, and the speed of defensive transitions during counterattacks slows down. This exposes the limitations of the current physical management and training system. Competing on the world stage requires data-driven physical management at the level of European clubs, but Korean football has yet to reach that stage.

Above all, psychological recovery is urgently needed. Although the team won 2-0 against Paraguay, the crushing defeat to Brazil left deep scars not only on the players’ personal pride but also on the trust in the national team as a brand.

The tasks the national team must undertake are clear. First, stop experimenting and solidify the core lineup to build chemistry. Second, the coach must communicate more, and the players must respond with greater responsibility. Third, strengthen data-driven training and recovery systems. Fourth, restore the relationship with the fans. Fans are not just consumers, but partners who share in the team’s joys and sorrows.

There is not much time left until the North and Central America World Cup. If the team continues to waver as it does now, qualifying for the finals will be nothing more than a mere formality. However, if there is a genuine will to change, this crisis can become a springboard for progress. The empty seats at Sangam are a warning to us. What is needed now is not simply improved performance, but a return to the essence of football-rebuilding teamwork, trust, communication, and passion. That is the true start of World Cup preparation.