The U-22 system has emerged as a hot topic again.

Even among footballers, the U-20 World Cup is a hot topic. The under-20 (U-20) national team led by coach Kim Eun-joong finished the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina, the youngest on the 12th, in the final 4th place. They were called the ‘Valley Generation’ because there were no outstanding players. However, Lee Seung-won (Gangwon FC), who won the ‘Bronze Ball’, Bae Jun-ho (Daejeon Hana Citizen), and Lee Yeong-jun (Gimcheon Sangmu) made a clear impression.토토사이트

Perhaps because of that, the U-22 system has emerged as a hot topic again. This system was introduced in 2013 to promote the development of youth players. Most clubs use the rule of starting two U-22 players for efficient operation.

For the future of Korean football, it is important for U-22 players to grow, but the reality is that it is not easy to stand out in your team. With this in mind, soccer players who participated in the ‘2023 Soccer Golf Tournament’ held at Oak Hills CC in Wonju, Gangwon-do on the 13th had various stories about this system.

Park Jin-seop, coach of Busan I-Park, is in the position that the U-22 system should be maintained. Director Park said, “I think the results were achieved thanks to the U-22 system. It is pointed out that players of that age group have not been able to play many games in their team, but it is meaningful in that it promotes the appointment of promising players. I am also trying to increase the playing time of such players.”

Directors who participated in the ‘2023 Soccer Golf Tournament’ held at Oak Hills CC in Wonju, Gangwon-do on the 13th are taking commemorative photos. The soccer golf tournament is hosted by the Korea Football Association, Korea Professional Football Federation, Ulsan Hyundai, and Jeonbuk Hyundai, and is sponsored by six sports media companies, including Sports Donga, Sports Seoul, Sports Chosun, Sports Kyunghyang, Sports World, and Ilgan Sports. 2023. 6. 13. Wonju | Reporter Park Jin-up upandup@sportsseoul.com

Pohang Steelers coach Kim Ki-dong has a different idea. Manager Kim said, “It is said that he grew up because of the U-22 rule, but players who want to play are bound to run. There is also a problem with power because it is trying to squeeze (shortage U-22 resources). You have to grow and use it, but it doesn’t seem to be absolute.”

Jeong Jeong-yong, executive director of Kim Cheon, emphasized the need to improve the system. Coach Jeong said, “Young players have to play a lot in their teams. I have to see if those players are competitive in the league. For now, your best bet is to use your U-22 card. The best thing is to activate a segmented age-specific league like overseas. It is also good to actively utilize stages where you can play, such as the K4 League.”

University coaches are also not happy with the U-22 rule. Ha Seok-joo, head coach of Ajou University, said, “From the point of view of a university coach, it is difficult to attract good freshmen through this system. Around the 2nd or 3rd grade, I’m about to leave school. We should not just look at the success of the U-20 World Cup. We also need to think about the supplementary points of the system,” he said.