“There is no Korean Cup championship only,” Kim Ki-hee fired up her will to win the championship.
The Korea Football Association hosted the 2024 Hana Bank Korea Cup semifinal match draw and media day at 3:30 p.m. on the 5th at the Korea Football Center located in Sinmun-ro, Seoul. Pohang Steelers were attended by head coach Park Tae-ha and Lee Ho-jae, Ulsan HD was attended by head coach Kim Pan-gon and Kim Ki-hee, Gwangju FC was attended by head coach Lee Jung-hyo and Jung Ho-yeon, and Jeju United was attended by head coach Kim Hak-beom and Lim Chae-min.
The semifinals of the Korea Cup are played in a home-and-away manner. The first round will be held on Aug. 21, and the second round will be held on Aug. 28. The final will be held on Nov. 30 at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Jeju and Pohang will face off against Gwangju and Ulsan for final tickets in the semifinals.
Ulsan started its journey of the Korea Cup with a match against Gyeongnam FC in the round of 16. With its objective capabilities ahead, Ulsan seemed to have a relaxed game. However, it was helpless against Gyeongnam’s attack and it was a close game of 4-4. Ulsan advanced to the quarterfinals with goalkeeper Moon Hyun-ho’s good defense in the shootout. In the quarterfinals, it beat Incheon United with a goal scored by Kim Min-joon.
Kim Ki-hee became Ulsan’s captain last season and is continuously leading the team as captain this season. Kim played 12 games to secure Ulsan’s backside. Kim Ki-hee’s role is important amid chaotic situation where the coach changes during the season.
Before the match draw, Kim Ki-hee said, “I want to meet Gwangju. The reason is that Gwangju continues to play good soccer and has lost a lot to Gwangju recently. I want to play so exciting that I don’t want to meet you again this time,” and expressed his feelings ahead of the semifinals. 메이저놀이터
It turned out what Kim Ki-hee wanted. With Jeju Island and Pohang having a showdown, Ulsan automatically met Gwangju. “I would like to say that our chance of winning the championship is 90 percent,” Kim said, expressing confidence.
Kim won the title at the Asian Champions League, the Chinese FA Cup, and the MLS Cup. However, Kim had no relationship with the Korean Cup. “I have won many championships including four K-League events. However, I have not won a single championship at the Korea Cup. As I am a veteran of the team, I do not have much time to play soccer. I really want to win this time,” Kim said, renewing his commitment to win the title.