South Korea’s Asian Cup Elimination: Implications for Son & Klinsmann
When Jurgen Klinsmann took charge as head coach of South Korea in February 2023, he made a bold promise to fans and media – to bring home the Asian Cup trophy for the first time in 64 years. However, after their recent defeat to Jordan in the semi-finals, it seems that Klinsmann’s tenure may be called into question.
The match against Jordan was a significant upset, with the Middle Eastern team ranked 64 places below South Korea at 87th in the world. This was Jordan’s first major semi-final, yet they outperformed the star-studded South Korea team in every aspect. Despite having attacking powerhouses like Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan, South Korea failed to have a single shot on target against Jordan.
Klinsmann’s performance as coach has come under scrutiny, especially as South Korea only managed to win one match in normal time during the tournament. Their group-stage matches resulted in draws against Jordan and Malaysia, both teams ranked lower in the world rankings. In the second round, they narrowly avoided elimination by equalizing against Saudi Arabia in the 99th minute and winning a penalty shootout. Their quarter-final match against Australia also saw a late equalizer before Son secured their victory with a superb extra-time free-kick.
This style of play, often referred to as “zombie football” by South Korean media, provided dramatic moments but lacked coherent tactics. MBC Television commentator Seo Hyung-wook criticized the team’s over-reliance on individual skills rather than cohesive teamwork. Out of six matches, South Korea only managed one win within 90 minutes.
Concerns were raised when Klinsmann was appointed due to his lack of recent coaching experience, apart from a short stint with Hertha Berlin. Additionally, he spent relatively little time in South Korea, with a Seoul newspaper calculating that he had only spent 67 days in the country within his first six months. This led to questions about his commitment to developing Korean football.
Klinsmann’s contract extends until the end of the 2026 World Cup, and South Korea’s qualification matches in Asia will resume next month. However, there are growing concerns about the future of captain Son Heung-min. Fans worry that Son may quit the national team following their disappointing performance. After the match against Jordan, Son hinted at the possibility of considering his international future, which has sparked speculation about his dissatisfaction with the team’s direction.
Despite South Korea’s disappointment, Jordan’s journey in the Asian Cup continues. The team, which includes only one Europe-based player, Mousa Al-Tamari, qualified for their first final. Al-Tamari, who plays for Montpellier in France, has been a standout performer for Jordan. He scored a delightful second goal against South Korea and expressed his emotions about reaching the final. There is already talk of European interest in Yazan Al-Naimat, who scored the opener in the semi-final. Jordan’s Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta hopes to see more Jordanian players active in Europe’s top leagues soon.
As South Korea’s ambitions turn towards the 2026 World Cup, it remains uncertain whether Klinsmann or Son will be part of the team in the upcoming qualifier against Thailand. The disappointing performance in the Asian Cup has raised questions about the future of both the coach and the captain. Only time will tell how South Korea will rebound from this setback and whether they can regain their former glory in international football.