Coach Park Yoon-jung of the U-20 women’s national soccer team vowed to become a helpful leader for the players.
Park won the “2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Awards” at Kyung Hee University’s Peace Hall on Sunday. She beat Leah Blaney of Australia’s U-20 team and Tomomi Miyamoto of Japan’s women’s team. She even received the honor at an award ceremony held in Korea.
“My heart is pounding because it was an unexpected award. I’m so honored. I’m so grateful to the KFA and AFC for giving me this opportunity to stand here,” Park told reporters after the award.
Park, a former coach of the A-team, has been in charge of the U-20 women’s team since 2023. She ranked fourth at the U-20 Asian Cup and advanced to the round of 16 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Colombia. Born in 1989, Park is also the youngest Korean coach to participate in a FIFA event. 토토사이트
Park credited the award to the players and other leaders. “I want to share the honor with the players, the coaches, and the coaches who are working hard in the field. I will take this as a sign that I will work harder and become a leader who is helpful to the players,” Park said. “The U-20 World Cup is not the best stage, but I think it is an opportunity for the players to grow. I am also grateful to the players for allowing me to become a stage where we grow together.”
However, the Korean women’s soccer team is in a slump. The issue of generational change is also being discussed. Coach Park said, “It can’t always be good, but there are ups and downs. I think it’s a time when women’s soccer is away. I think it’s an opportunity to step up. I believe that there will be good results because we are making efforts. I hope the players will have confidence.”