Team Korea`s new coach says the key is to win

Though yet to sit at the coach seat in bench, he must have wanted to get acquainted with Korean football as soon as possible. Uli Stielike, a former German footballer who was nominated as new head coach of Korean national football team, arrived in Korea Monday and attended to watch the international soccer friendly match between Korea and Uruguay at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province. Seated on the first floor in the stand, Stielike stood up as the announcer introduced him, waving his hands and saying hello to the fans. More than 38,000 spectators welcomed the new coach with a loud applause.

He said, "I wouldn`t have accepted the offer if I saw no hope in Korea becoming football powerhouse again. I can`t promise to win in all games. However, I can promise that I will make efforts and bring good results using the best of my experience."

Stielike cautioned Korean football adhering to specific styles. "Success will not come with just one style. Someday short passes will lead to a win and in another day ball in air will be important. Playing a winning game is important." he said. Stielike plans to figure out Korean football as soon as possible. He said, "I can`t get into the house if doors are closed. I need to understand Korean culture. This is what I will have to do the next several months." He said he only knows about Sohn Heung-min who`s playing in Germany (Leverkusen) and thus plans to analyze the players based on their performance at the warm-up match with Uruguay team.

Stielike will stay in Korea until Thursday to discuss contract details with the Korean Football Association and to look for a place to reside with his family during his term in Korea. On the Asian Cup due January next year, he said, "I will come back soon and examine K League and 23-under players to find good players."

Though he has yet to negotiate with the association on coaching staff, Stielike plans to demand just two to three Korean staff. He said, "Please feel free to criticize our team after the friendly match with Paraguay team in October." After the match with Uruguay team, he talked with Sohn and said, "Sohn speaks German and so it was easy to approach him. I had a feeling that Sohn after the World Cup was trying to take all responsibility. He`s still young and I told him to keep up his good strength and do well in Germany."