"My tactics in the first half were completely wrong." Robert Moreno hangs his head after a four-goal defeat at home... Son Heung-min's 58th goal tarnished

[Financial News] Robert Moreno, the interim head coach of the South Korea national football team, apologized to fans and candidly admitted his tactical misjudgment after suffering a disastrous four-goal defeat to South American powerhouse Uruguay at home.
The South Korea national football team, led by Manager Robert Moreno, suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat in a friendly match against Uruguay held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 28th, conceding three goals in the first half alone.
The momentum from their debut match against Ecuador, a 3-0 victory, was nowhere to be seen. South Korea's defense completely collapsed, beginning with Darwin Núñez's opening goal in the 13th minute of the first half, followed by Giorgian de Arrascaeta's second goal in the 27th minute and Kim Min-jae's own goal in the 43rd minute. After conceding a decisive goal to Darwin Núñez in the 17th minute of the second half, Son Heung-min of Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) scored a consolation goal in the 35th minute, but it was not enough to turn the game around.
Son Heung-min's goal on this day was his 58th career goal in international matches, a historic goal that tied the all-time record held by former national team coach and 'legend' Cha Bum-kun, but it was overshadowed by the team's crushing defeat.
Manager Robert Moreno, who had made a spectacular debut against Ecuador, entered the press conference room as the losing manager just four days later. His expression was grim.

Manager Robert Moreno bowed his head and said, "I want to apologize to the fans who filled the stadium and cheered us on throughout." He then bitterly acknowledged the defeat, adding, "The opponent did not have many shots and had little possession, but they scored four goals."
When reporters asked about the reason for conceding so many goals in the first half, he candidly admitted his tactical blunder. Manager Robert Moreno explained, "We tried to push both fullbacks high to draw the opposing wingers down and make the central buildup easier, but it did not work," adding, "We were badly exposed to the opponent's counterattack immediately after losing the ball."
Although tactical adjustments at halftime improved the team's performance in the second half, the analysis was that conceding too many goals in the first half had already proved costly. Regarding the 4-4-2 formation, Manager Robert Moreno emphasized, "I do not insist on a specific formation, but our football philosophy and principles must be firmly maintained."

When asked about how to use specific players such as Lee Kang-in of Atlético Madrid, he pointed out that tactical limitations had led to the players' poor performances, saying, "You have to look at the team as a whole rather than at just one player. If the team cannot properly break through the pressure, there is not enough space for the players to showcase their strengths."
Uruguay national football team's manager Diego Forlán, whose team had lost 1-3 to Japan four days earlier, expressed satisfaction, saying, "We put in a good performance against a very strong South Korea. Our pressing was good, and there were many moments when we dominated."
With morale dampened by the heavy defeat to Uruguay, the South Korea national football team will play the third match of its four-game international series against Venezuela at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium on October 2.

There are also variables. The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced immediately after the match against Uruguay that Paik Seung-ho of Birmingham City Football Club would be released from the squad to recover his condition, following Cho Gue-sung of FC Midtjylland. With the team having to play two matches with the remaining 28 players, Hwang In-beom, the key midfielder who was left out of the squad for the previous two matches, is expected to be available for the match against Venezuela.
Manager Robert Moreno vowed to bounce back, saying, "The match against Venezuela in four days is an opportunity to shake off this bad feeling," and adding, "I will prepare for the next match with even greater determination than immediately after our last victory."
[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter