South Korea coach Stielike’s job safe despite shock loss to China
SEOUL: South Korea’s top football official promised that coach Uli Stielike’s job was safe despite the national team’s shock 1-0 loss to China in World Cup qualifying.
Chung Mong-gyu, head of the Korea Football Association, said South Korea “didn’t play such a bad match” and that talks of any coaching changes were unwarranted.
“We had a few chances in the second half but just couldn’t convert them. The players did the best they could under the circumstances,” said Mong-gyu, according to the Yonhap news agency, after the team returned home.
“We haven’t lost hopes of qualifying for the World Cup and talks of a coaching change (are premature).”
Thursday’s loss marked only South Korean’s second defeat by the Chinese in 32 games.
But they remain second in Group A and in line to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
The match was played against the backdrop of high political tensions following Chinese anger over South Korea’s deployment of a controversial missile defence system.
Stielike – who played 42 times for West Germany – has a contract taking him through to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
He was appointed in September 2014 following the resignation of Hong Myung-bo, who stepped down after South Korea’s disappointing group-stage exit at the World Cup in Brazil.
South Korea’s next game is at home on Tuesday against war-torn Syria, who are currently fourth in Group A.
Only the top two teams in Group A and B gain automatic entry to Russia 2018 but the two sides that finish third will go into a playoff series.