AFC Asian Cup: Jurgen Klinsmann having ‘a lot of fun’ coaching Son Heung-min and co, but South Korea lose keeper to ACL injury
- South Korea preparing for Saturday’s game against Jordan after starting with victory over Bahrain
- Five of coach Klinsmann’s players risk bans after opening-match bookings, with star pair Son and Kim Min-jae among those on yellow cards
Jurgen Klinsmann says South Korea will fight for Asian Cup glory on behalf of Kim Seung-gyu, after a serious training-ground injury ended the veteran goalkeeper’s tournament in Qatar.
Head coach Klinsmann will turn to Jo Hyeon-woo, who was in goal at the 2018 World Cup but has been out of favour since the German’s appointment last February.
Aiming for a first Asian crown since 1960, South Korea will advance to the last 16 if they beat Jordan at Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.
But their opening 3-1 success against Bahrain came at a cost, with Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae – placed first and second when the 2023 Best Footballer in Asia prize was announced this week – among five players who collected yellow cards.
Klinsmann insisted it was up to individuals treading the disciplinary tightrope to “handle the situation … or live with the consequences”.
The 59-year-old, who said electric attacker Hwang Hee-chan was “feeling better every day, and no longer in pain” following a hip injury, was keen to look forwards after 81-cap Kim suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during training on Thursday.