Kang Yoon-gu (22, Ulsan HDFC)’s header led Ulsan HDFC to retake the lead.
Ulsan beat Gangwon FC 2-0 in the 30th round of the K League 1 of the 2024 season at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium on Sept. 13.
Kang scored in the 14th minute of the first half. Kang swung Rubik’s cross into a diving header to sway Gangwon’s net. Ulsan added Ataru’s net goal in the 34th minute of the second half to add three more points. Here is Kang Yoon-gu’s story after the match against Gangwon.
Q. He took the lead in winning the team by scoring in the first and second place showdowns.
I am so happy to win the first and second place showdowns. I will use this match as a springboard to display better performance.
Q. How do you remember the scoring situation.
I can’t remember (laughs). I headed it and thought I was stuck. I was in trouble, but it went in well. So I was happy.
Q. I received a steady opportunity, but I think it must have been stressful because I had fewer attack points.
I kept getting opportunities to play. It is true that I was under a lot of stress because I didn’t score a goal. I tried not to pay attention to my personal record as much as possible. At times like this, I wanted to be helpful to my team. I tried to focus only on team play. There are many players in my team who will score other than me. I will try to show better and better performance.
Q. Since manager Kim Pan-gon took the helm, his performance seems to be getting better.
Coach Kim Pan-gon said, “He studies a lot tactically. He teaches us in great detail. He teaches us how to move when we catch a ball in this position and how to play defense. If we understand and fail to fulfill that, we will not have a chance to play. We will show you more confident plays in offense including forward passes.
Q. Coach Kim Pan-gon predicted that he would be “more aggressive.”
There are a lot of great players in my position. The U-22 competition is also fierce. I think I should compete with the older players from now on. There are players who fall off the list. It is true that the older players are superior to me. Now I am playing because I am 22. I feel sorry for the older players who are not on the list because of me. Since I am playing on behalf of the older players, I will do my best for the rest of the game.
Q: It received a lot of attention when I joined Ulsan. It will not be the U-22 starting next year.
I’m paying attention. I’m also burdened. When I think about the first time I came to Ulsan, I didn’t play much. That time was too long. I was scared. Even after I went on loan, I was afraid that I could survive this team. I was not confident. 먹튀검증
More and more, I felt something. To play in the game, I think the first thing that helps the team is what I do better than what I’m good at. As I put myself down and matched one by one to the team, I gained confidence. As the experience has been added, I think my strengths come out little by little. Personally, there is something I really want to say.
When Coach Hong Myung-bo was present, he gave me many opportunities. When Coach Hong went to the national team, he couldn’t say a word of greetings. He was not close enough to greet (laughs). The coach was also scared. The coach went to the national team and made a result anyway. I am happy. And I really want to say “thank you” to Coach Hong.