Determining 2 pairs of semi-final matches of National U19 2024; Hot news about Coach Park Hang-seo leading Indonesia again

Determining the 2 semi-final pairs of National U19 2024

Closing 2 days of knockout matches in the quarter-finals of the 2024 National U19 Championship, Song Lam Nghe An, Hanoi, The Cong Viettel and Hoang Anh Gia Lai are the 4 teams that will continue.

In the final quarter-final match, Hoang Anh Gia Lai controlled the game but could not create many chances. On the contrary, Hue actively defended and created counter-attack opportunities. However, the first half still ended without any goals being scored.

After the break, the 45 minutes of the second half continued to end without any goals scored despite Hue's dominance in the game. With no clear winner, the two teams went into the penalty shootout with the mountain town players winning 8-7 and securing the last ticket to the semi-finals.

In the early match of the day, The Cong Viettel defeated Dong A Thanh Hoa with a score of 2-0. On January 29, Hanoi beat Binh Duong 3-1 and SLNA beat PVF 2-1 to win the first two tickets.

Thus, the semi-final round will feature The Cong Viettel, SLNA, Hanoi and Hoang Anh Gia Lai. The two matches Song Lam Nghe An vs. Hanoi (3 p.m.), The Cong Viettel vs. Hoang Anh Gia Lai (5:30 p.m.) will take place on March 3 at Binh Duong Stadium.

Hot news about Coach Park Hang-seo leading Indonesia again

The future of the Korean coaching duo Park Hang-seo and Shin Tae-yong has been mentioned a lot in Indonesian football public opinion recently.

Coach Shin Tae-yong's contract with the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) will expire in June 2024. Recently, PSSI has not wanted to finalize the future with Coach Shin, while he has hinted more than once that he will leave Indonesia to take up coaching work at another team.

As for Coach Park, he has just "slipped" from the role of interim coach of the Korean national team and has not officially led any team.

Therefore, the Indonesian press has now mentioned candidates to replace coach Shin Tae-Yong, in which coach Park Hang-seo has emerged as a bright face.

Specifically, Suara newspaper hopes that the Indonesian team will soon finalize the future with the Korean strategist.

“Coach Park Hang-seo emerged during his time leading the Vietnam National Team. He made significant contributions to helping the Vietnam National Team reach the continental level. During this time, Coach Park Hang-seo was considered a tough opponent of the Indonesian National Team led by Coach Shin Tae-yong,” commented Suara.

The newspaper also said that this is the right time for the home team to own him, because currently "Coach Park Hang-seo is no longer leading the Vietnam National Team and only takes on the role of advisor at Bac Ninh Club in the Second Division in Vietnam".

In addition, Suara newspaper also listed coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who was recently fired by the Korean National Team, on the list of candidates.

"The chance for the Indonesian team to have coach Klinsmann's signature is not small. He has just become a free man after leaving the Korean team," the newspaper commented.

Besides, the Indonesian newspaper also named coach Julen Lopetegui, former coach of the Spanish national team.

“An interesting choice is coach Julen Lopetegui. He is also unemployed after leaving Wolves in 2023. In the past, he has been the coach of Real Madrid and the Spanish National Team,” the newspaper added.

PSSI is said to want to monitor the results of the Indonesian U23 team at the AFC U23 Championship in Qatar in April to decide the future of coach Shin Tae-yong. At this tournament, the Indonesian U23 team will be in the same group with Australia, Qatar and Jordan.

South Korea makes decision on Lee Kang-in

South Korean newspaper Seoul Newspaper revealed that all four players, Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, Kim Min-jae and Hwang Hee-chan, have been called up for two 2026 World Cup qualifiers this month. The KFA wants to achieve good results in the second qualifying round, thereby reducing the burden on the official coach, expected to be appointed in May.

In addition, the move to summon both Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in shows that the KFA does not want to punish both players for their brawling behavior at the 2023 Asian Cup. The KFA wants to create a friendly atmosphere again in the national team, when the veteran pillars and the Gen Z generation of players have a big conflict.

Previously, in a technical meeting on February 27, Kukmin Ilbo revealed that many KFA officials wanted to severely punish Lee Kang-in to restore order in the national team. However, there were also opinions from KFA members that, after the player's recent actions of "giving in" and sincere apologies, this young talent should be forgiven.

The initial solution proposed by many KFA officials was not to call up Lee Kang-in for the upcoming two matches against Thailand. However, that could cause the Korean team to lose its strength. Lee Kang-in is one of the best Korean stars at the 2023 Asian Cup.

South Korea's playing style depends heavily on the midfielder from PSG. In the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia, South Korea won all 6 points after 2 matches. If they win all 6 points in the 2 matches against Thailand, South Korea will definitely get a ticket to the third qualifying round.

Bayern Munich disappoints again

In their 2,000th Bundesliga match, Bayern Munich could only manage a 2-2 draw at Freiburg's Europa-Park Stadion in round 24.

Lucas Holer was the one who ruined Bayern Munich's victory when he scored in the 87th minute, after a beautiful left-footed volley, sending the ball into the far corner, surprising goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and his teammates.

This result caused Bayern Munich to miss the opportunity to put pressure on and narrow the gap in points to the top team Bayer Leverkusen. In case of defeating Cologne on March 3, Leverkusen will increase the score with Bayern Munich to 10 points.

In the first leg between Bayern Munich and Freiburg at the Allianz Arena in October, the home side crushed their opponents 3-0. But in the rematch, Freiburg surprisingly played surprisingly effective football.

The home team had the better start, creating dangerous shots on goal and forcing Manuel Neuer to show his talent in saving. In the 12th minute, Christian Günter had a perfect finish to put the home team ahead.

Before the break, Bayern Munich found an equalizer. Striker Mathys Tel, in a rare start, replacing the injured Leroy Sane, shone with a goal in the 35th minute.

In the second half, Bayern Munich played better. They showed dominance in the game. In the 75th minute, Jamal Musiala performed a solo performance with a series of skillful dribbles in the penalty area, before firing a shot that shook the Freiburg net. However, Holer's improvised finish near the end of the match snatched a point for the home team.

Bayern will host Lazio at home in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie in the middle of next week. The German team lost the first leg 0-1.

Messi has a physical nightmare

Inter Miami head coach is concerned about Lionel Messi's fitness after just the first two matches in Major League Soccer (MLS) this season.

The Miami Herald revealed that coach Tata Martino said that Messi showed signs of fatigue after the first two rounds of MLS 2024. The Argentine strategist also felt worried when the Inter Miami star seemed to be "exhausted" after the pre-season training period.

Coach Martino is said to have advised Messi to focus on scoring or creating goals, instead of taking on the role of dropping deep to carry the ball and moving a lot in the first two rounds of the MLS season.

The former Barca coach and his assistants are planning to take care of and use Messi as carefully as possible. This season, Inter Miami will participate in 5 tournaments including MLS, MLS Cup, CONCACAF Champions League, Leagues Cup and US Open Cup.

Inter Miami's intense schedule could put Messi at risk of injury, as he turns 36. Messi started and played the entire match in Inter Miami's first two matches in MLS 2024. He contributed 1 goal and 1 assist.