Foreign Coaches Excited to Participate in K League International Youth Cup Incheon 2023

Foreign Coaches Anticipate Rare Opportunity to Participate in K League International Youth Cup Incheon 2023

By Kang Dong-hoon, Reporter

Incheon, South Korea – Foreign club coaches attending the ‘K League International Youth Cup Incheon 2023’ expressed their excitement at the upcoming tournament. Held on the Asian continent for the first time, they believe it is a rare opportunity to compete in a youth competition of this magnitude. The coaches hope that the players will gain valuable experience from the event.

Addressing the media at the Airport Hotel Howard Johnson Incheon on Yeongjong Island, Incheon, the Korea Professional Football Federation (Federation) organized the ‘K League Incheon International Youth Cup 2023’ Media Day. This provided an opportunity for the directors to share their decisions and impressions about the tournament.

The Federation aims to enhance the international competitiveness of K League Youth through the hosting of the ‘K League Incheon International Youth Cup 2023’, which promotes international exchanges. The competition not only allows K-League Youth to establish connections with senior foreign leagues, but also fosters an international exchange network among coaching staff and front desk personnel of each K-League club.

The ‘K League International Youth Cup Incheon 2023’ will commence with the group stage immediately following an official opening event, including the Media Day. The group stage matches will be held on the 4th and 5th, with a rest day scheduled on the 6th. The group league schedule will then take place on the 7th and 8th, followed by the finals and place match on the 9th.

Matches during the group stage will be held at three different locations: Incheon Munhak Stadium auxiliary field, Incheon Asiad auxiliary field, and Namdong Asiad Rugby Stadium. The final will be held at the Incheon Football Stadium, the home ground of Incheon United. The competition is open to players under 17 years old (U-17).

In addition to the games, the Federation has organized a coaches’ conference and opportunities for foreign players to experience Korean culture. An official from the Federation stated, “Besides hosting the matches, we have arranged coaches’ seminars where each club can share their knowledge and philosophy on youth development. Moreover, we have prepared various cultural experience programs for the foreign players.”

Sergio Lozano Gomez, coach of Valencia U-17 (Spain), expressed his delight at being part of the tournament. He said, “I have participated in many competitions across Europe, but this is my first time in Korea. I hope to enjoy meaningful games with Korean teams and consider this an invaluable experience. Competing in a different country and environment offers a unique opportunity to understand different cultures.”

Richard Walker, coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers U-17 (England), expressed his honor at representing England in the competition. He praised the improvement in Korean football and pointed out the significance of players like Seol Ki-hyun and Hwang Hee-chan in bridging their respective countries’ football cultures. Walker further emphasized that the exchange of different playing styles at different stages would be a valuable and enriching experience for the young players.

Asier Eisaguirre Rosa, coach of Real Sociedad U-17 (Spain), thanked the organizers for the invitation. He expressed the anticipation shared by the coaching staff and players, stating, “We look forward to gaining valuable experience through this tournament and having meaningful interactions with other teams. It will be an entirely different environment, especially since it is our first time in Asia. We expect to learn new things and achieve success through healthy competition.”

Ratchakit Kochasuwan, General Manager of Chonburi FC U-17 (Thailand), expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate. He believed that this tournament would provide players with valuable international exposure, emphasizing the importance of overseas experience in shaping young players into professionals. He added that competing against European, Asian, and K-League teams would be an exceptional opportunity for growth.

Shigero Kozaburo, manager of Tokyo Verdy U-17 (Japan), extended his congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the K-League and expressed his gratitude for being invited to the tournament. He eagerly anticipated the six days of competition, emphasizing the importance of raising the level of youth while exchanging different cultures and philosophies.

Notably, coach René Peter of RSC Anderlecht U-17 (Belgium) was unable to attend the media day due to flight schedule issues. Similarly, coach Ryo Shibuya from Tokyo Verdy U-17 also could not be present due to scheduling conflicts. However, manager Kozaburo represented Tokyo Verdy U-17 at the event.

[골닷컴, 인천] Reporter Kang Dong-hoon = Foreign club coaches participating in the ‘K League International Youth Cup Incheon 2023’ announced that they would win as much as it is a rare opportunity when participating in a youth competition held on the Asian continent, among them, Korea for the first time. In particular, I hoped it would be a valuable experience for the players and looked forward to it.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, the Korea Professional Football Federation (hereinafter referred to as the federation) held the ‘K League Incheon International Youth Cup 2023’ Media Day (hereinafter referred to as the Media Day) at the Airport Hotel Howard Johnson Incheon in Yeongjong Island, Incheon, to hear the decision and impressions of the directors, I had time to look.

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The federation hosted the ‘K League Incheon International Youth Cup 2023’ this year while continuing to promote international exchanges to improve the international competitiveness of K League Youth. Through this competition, K-League Youth is expected to increase contact points with foreign senior leagues, and ensure an international exchange network and international competitiveness of the front desk and coaching staff of each K-League club.

The ‘K League International Youth Cup Incheon 2023’ will start the first round of the group stage immediately after holding an official opening event, including today’s Media Day. After that, the group stage schedule will be held on the 4th and 5th, the rest day will be held on the 6th, the group league schedule will be held on the 7th and 8th, and the finals and place match will have were scheduled on the 9th.

The group stage will be held in three locations: Incheon Munhak Stadium auxiliary field, Incheon Asiad auxiliary field, and Namdong Asiad Rugby Stadium. The final will be held at the Incheon Football Stadium, the home ground of Incheon United. The age group taking part in this competition is for players under 17 (U-17).

In addition to the games, the federation held a coaches’ conference and time for foreign players to experience Korean culture. An official from the federation explained, “In addition to hosting the match, through coaches’ seminars, each club shared their knowledge and philosophy related to youth development and organized a variety of cultural experience programs for foreign players.”

First, Sergio Lozano Gomez, coach of Valencia U-17 (Spain), said, “I’m very happy to have invited you. I have played many competitions in Europe, but this is my first time in Korea,” he said, expressing his feelings about participating, saying, “I hope to have fun and meaningful games with Korean teams.” “There are many of competitions like this in North America and Europe, but opportunities to participate in competitions in Asia are rare. It is expected that it will be a valuable experience to play in a different country and environment. It will also be an important opportunity to understand different cultures.”

Richard Walker, coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers U-17 (England), said, “It’s an honor to represent England in this competition. I’m looking forward to it as the level of Korean football has improved a lot. In the past, Seol Ki-hyun was playing, and Hwang Hee-chan is playing now, so it’s more meaningful,” he said after expressing his feelings, “It’s a very valuable opportunity. I expect players to grow and become stronger physically and mentally. In particular, exchanging different styles at different stages will be a meaningful and good experience in itself.”

Coach Asier Eisaguirre Rosa Real Sociedad U-17 (Spain) said, “Thank you for inviting me. From the coaching staff to the players, everyone is looking forward to it. After emphasizing that I am happy to have a good experience with other teams, and I will work hard,” he emphasized, “It is a completely different environment, especially the continent is different this time. Asia, among them, came to Korea. It has a great meaning as you can experience different things and win a lot by competing.”

Ratchakit Kochasuwan Chonburi FC U-17 (Thailand) general manager said, “Thank you for inviting me. This tournament will be a good experience to compete with good teams from all over the world,” he said “The most important thing is for the players to grow. To become a good player, you must have a lot of overseas experience. We support them to play football abroad 2-3 times a year. It will be a good opportunity to compete with European, Asian and K-League teams in this tournament,” he said.

Shigero Kozaburo, manager of Tokyo Verdy U-17 (Japan), said, “First of all, congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the K-League,” and then he said, “Thank you for inviting me to a great tournament. I am happy to participate. During the next six days of competition, I expect to raise the level of youth, and hopefully raise the level further while sharing different cultures and different philosophies.”

Meanwhile, according to federation officials, coach René Peter RSC Anderlecht U-17 (Belgium) could not appear on this media day due to flight schedule problems. Likewise, Tokyo Verdy U-17 coach Ryo Shibuya was unable to attend due to scheduling issues, and manager Kozaburo attended instead.

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