'No Player Is Bigger Than the Team': South Korea Coach Addresses Locker-Room Tension Despite Win

Summary Despite securing a 2-0 victory against Uzbekistan in an international friendly at Yongin Mireu Stadium, the atmosphere surrounding the South Korea national football team remains palpably tense. First-half and second-half goals from veteran captain Son Heung-min and forward Oh Se-hun sealed the win, with Son marking his historic 59th international goal—the all-time record for a Korean men's player. However, lingering discord within the squad overshadowed the result on the pitch. The friction surfaced publicly following an earlier match against Venezuela, when star defender Kim Min-jae criticized the attacking line for failing to track back defensively. Midfielder Hwang In-beom was visibly distraught during post-match interviews, tearfully confessing that the squad was struggling with unresolved internal challenges and felt there was "no one to help." Following the final whistle against Uzbekistan, Hwang was seen lingering on the pitch alongside teammate Hwang Hee-chan, both looking crestfallen despite the victory. Interim manager Roberto Moreno addressed the simmering squad friction head-on during his post-match press conference. "Every player must realize that no player is greater than the team," Moreno insisted. Emphasizing team cohesion over individual accolades, he underlined his management philosophy: personal ambitions must come second to collective achievement, and all internal grievances must be addressed face-to-face behind closed doors rather than aired publicly. Moreno also clarified tactical concerns regarding his demanding 4-4-2 formation, which had triggered player fatigue and debate over whether individual strengths were being constrained. Defending his approach, he likened his project to constructing a building, stressing that the squad must establish a firm identity rather than tearing down progress after every difficult performance. Addressing Lee Kang-in's early substitution, Moreno revealed that an unexpected ankle issue forced the midfielder off at halftime, reiterating his full confidence in Lee's commitment to the national team despite escalating public scrutiny and lofty expectations.