New national soccer coach Pim Verbeek is optimistic over his team's future.

In an interview with the Dutch sports program "NOS Studio Sport" Saturday, Verbeek said his team has many skilled and hardworking veterans and young talented players.

He said the success of South Korean soccer depends on gaining more experience in the international stage by playing against European and South American teams.

On the domestic K-League, he assessed its level as far below that of big European leagues, but said South Korea is about equal with European teams as it proved in this year's World Cup.