Colin Bell Has Made South Korea Competitive

South Korea head coach Colin Bell has transformed the team and trained them to be more competitive as they gear up for their fourth Women’s World Cup appearance in Australia and New Zealand next month.

Since taking over in 2019, Bell has turned South Korea into an aggressive side, leading them to the final of the Asian Cup last year, where they lost to continental giants China.

“He is very passionate. He changed our team a lot,” said South Korea forward Lee Geum-min, according to an interview with FIFA+ on Sunday.

“Being from England, he adapted to a new culture and new environment. He respects Korea Republic very much. He has tried to adapt to our culture. He is very energetic. He respects the way we used to train and trains our team to be competitive.”

South Korea are in Group H with Colombia, Germany and Morocco at the July 20-August 20 tournament this year.

The Koreans were knocked out in the group stage in the last edition in 2019, while they reached the last-16 in 2015 in Canada. In their World Cup debut in 2003, they could not get past the group stage.

What is their target this year?

“Our first goal is to advance to the round of 16. We’ll play every game as if it were the final. We’ll have that kind of mindset,” Lee said.

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Lee, who was part of South Korea’s last two World Cup campaigns, said things have changed considerably in the last few years.

“There were not many opportunities to play with foreign players in the past. We played that first World Cup with little experience with foreign players. But we got a great result,” she explained.

“I think our team’s performances have improved a lot over time, but so have other teams’. The performance and skills of all teams have improved a lot and we must be fully prepared to compete at that elevated level.”

Having gained experience and plying her trade in England’s Women’s Super League since 2019, Lee is confident of putting a better performance at global soccer’s showpiece event this time around.

The 29-year-old said the team has also become more competitive now.

“Some players are playing in overseas leagues. Our team is stronger compared to five years ago. There are many rookies and young players, which is a strength for us,” she said.

Lee emphasized the importance of midfielder Ji So-yun, who plays for Chelsea. Ji was named South Korea’s best female player last year.

“We call her a national treasure. A living legend. She is a valuable and indispensable player. I don’t want to let her retire,” Lee said of Ji. “Her impact on the team is great. The players gain confidence because of her. She is the most important player on our team.”