South Korean coach denies retaliatory player selection, disputes fan theories on team's loss

South Korean men's national football team coach Kim Jin-kyu has vehemently denied claims that player selection decisions were acts of retaliation. He addressed these allegations during a hearing at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, responding to a question from lawmaker Choi Min-hee.

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There was absolutely none of that.

Choi had raised concerns that Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung were not included in the starting lineup for the match against South Africa due to conflicts with former coach Hong Myung-bo. Fans have suggested this exclusion was a form of retribution. However, Kim Jin-kyu firmly stated, "There was absolutely none of that."

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It was not Lee Jae-sung, it was Cho Gue-sung.

Further questioning revealed a misunderstanding regarding a video clip circulating on social media. The clip showed Lee Kang-in shouting towards the bench. While fans speculated Lee Kang-in was upset about Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung's absence, Kim Jin-kyu clarified that Lee Kang-in was actually addressing teammate Cho Gue-sung. Son Heung-min was substituted in during the second half, while Lee Jae-sung did not play at all in the match, which South Korea lost 1-0.

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We think the fans are a little bit wrong.

When pressed by Choi about the reasons for the loss, Kim Jin-kyu expressed discomfort in discussing the specifics of the game's outcome at the hearing. He also disagreed with the popular fan opinion that the exclusion of key players directly led to the defeat, stating, "We think the fans are a little bit wrong." Choi concluded by criticizing the attitude, suggesting it contributed to the current state of South Korean football despite having talented players.

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That's why our country's football is in this state, with such an attitude.