Yang Min-hyuk criticized by Westerlo coach for lack of intensity after Asian Games gaffe

Yang Min-hyuk, 20, of KVC Westerlo has been publicly called out by his club's coach over his attitude.

British outlet Spurs Web reported Tuesday (Korean Standard Time) that Westerlo coach Isame Charaï had openly expressed disappointment with Tottenham Hotspur loanee Yang over his struggles in the Belgian league.

The remarks came after Belgian outlet Gazet van Antwerpen published an interview in which Charaï addressed Yang directly.

"I haven't seen enough intensity from Yang Min-hyuk so far — not in training either," Charaï said. "He needs to grow in that area."

Yang joined Westerlo on loan from Tottenham last summer but has yet to earn a starting berth in the Belgian top flight. He has been limited to substitute appearances, with his rhythm further disrupted by injury and his participation in the Asian Games.

There were signs of a turnaround. Yang scored his first Belgian league goal against Royal Antwerp on Oct. 12, shortly after returning to the club with a gold medal from the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Introduced as a substitute in the 85th minute, Yang drove into the opposition penalty area on a counterattack in stoppage time, used a deft touch to beat a defender and curled a precise shot into the net.

The cameo showcased his strengths — pace, dribbling ability and composure in front of goal — and raised hopes that he could push for a regular starting spot.

The momentum did not last. Yang made his first start for Westerlo in a cup match against Patro Eisden on Oct. 17, his first from the beginning since joining the club. The opportunity came on the heels of his league debut goal, but he was substituted at halftime.

Charaï was blunt after the final whistle, saying Yang "didn't hold the ball well enough." The coach did, however, acknowledge that it would be "too harsh" to judge Yang solely on that performance, and made clear he would not rush to conclusions based on a handful of specific criteria.

Meanwhile, Yang drew widespread public anger after making remarks following the Asian Games final that were widely interpreted as saying he had played only for the military service exemption the gold medal would bring.