FC Anyang, who confirmed promotion with Hana Bank’s K League 2 2024 victory, thanked fans.
Anyang held a press conference for winning and promoting the K League 2 at the soccer center in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 7th. Coach Yoo Byung-hoon, captain Lee Chang-yong and vice captain Kim Dong-jin attended the press conference.
Anyang had 18 wins, eight draws and nine losses in 35 league matches this season. It had four points ahead of second-ranked Seoul E-Land (58 points), confirming its victory regardless of the results of the remaining matches. It also achieved promotion to the K-League 1 as a champion.
“I’m thrilled that what I thought was someone else’s business happened in my house,” coach Yoo said. “I’d like to thank Mayor Choi Dae-ho and director Lee Woo-hyung for being a big mountain and the support staff for silently supporting me from behind.” “I’m also grateful to the supporters and Anyang citizens who have endured 21 long years together,” he said.
“I’m happy to engrave my name in Anyang history,” Lee Chang-yong said. “I thought it would be a ‘failed season’ due to injury during the season, but fortunately, my teammates won the championship because soccer is a team sport. Thanks to this, I became the winner and captain of the championship.” “When I first came to Anyang, I said I would give you a gift of promotion, and I’m thrilled to be able to keep it,” Kim Dong-jin said.
FC Anyang was transformed into a civic club in 2013 when LG Cheetas left Anyang in 2003 and became FC Seoul based in Seoul. Without fans’ enthusiasm, the history of the Anyang club would not have begun.
“When I first came to Anyang, the team employee showed me a video of Anyang’s history, and something was strange,” Lee Chang-yong said. “They have the power that the video gives and they know how to give love.” Kim Dong-jin also said, “It’s a team re-created by Anyang citizens,” adding, “If you look at the passion of the fans, (Anyang) is a team that should be in the first division.”
“If I kept Anyang for 11 years (including when I was a coach), the fans are the ones who kept the history of 21 years,” coach Yoo said, expressing pride, “The place where the fans will be is the first division where we are next year.”
Naturally, attention is focusing on the derby between Anyang and Seoul, which took place in the K League 1. “It was the fans’ desire to play the first division match against Seoul at Anyang,” he said. “I am happy to win, but I also feel a heavy sense of responsibility.” He also vowed to win the match, saying, “We will have to play one or two matches (against Seoul) at home. 메이저놀이터
Earlier, Seoul coach Kim Ki-dong flatly said about the derby match between Anyang and Seoul, “I don’t care because they all seem to be rivals.” Referring to Kim’s remarks, Lee Chang-yong responded, “We will not prepare with much weight.”
Now, Anyang, the winner of the K League 2, has to return to the primary league as a challenger. “I will always bring the spirit of a challenger,” coach Yoo said. “My big goal is to be in the top six. I want to be a coach who keeps his promise.” “Rather than something new, I want to remain like a zombie who doesn’t collapse hoping to be in the primary league forever,” he said.