Hong Yoon-sang (22, Pohang Steelers) found confidence with a bright smile.
Hong Yoon-sang took the lead in Pohang’s 3-0 complete victory by scoring a goal in the second round of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) match against Shanghai High River in the 2024-25 season at Pohang Steelyard on October 1.
Hong spent 82 minutes as a right midfielder on the day. Hong displayed outspoken performance against Shanghai, the No. 1 team in the Chinese Super League, where Oscar, a former member of the Brazilian national team, wore the captain’s armband. His outstanding performance included targeting the back space with fast feet, creating chances to score through short and concise passes, pressing the front line with robust performance and joining the defense line. This was Hong’s story.
Q. We won 3-0 against Shanghai.
He lost the first match of the ACLE in an away match in China. The second match was held at home. He made thorough determination. He said, “I must win.” He seems to have won as one team. I feel great.
Q. The first half ended 0-0. What did you talk about in the locker room at half-time.
Coach Park Tae-ha gave tactical feedback. He also added confidence to the players. The opponent was a strong team that ranks first in the Chinese Super League. I think the strong team’s confidence led to a good result.
Q. He scored the decisive goal.
I had a lot of worries because I couldn’t score a goal these days (laughs). I think it’s really good that I scored a goal that helped my team win.
Q. Didn’t we lose 1-4 in an away match in Shenhua, Shanghai, in the first round of the ACLE on September 17th? We had no choice but to operate the rotation due to poor team atmosphere in the league at the time. How was the atmosphere then.
The team had lost six straight games in the league. It is true that the mood of the team had subsided. To be honest, it was very difficult. However, I couldn’t afford to collapse down. I tried my best to change the mood of the team somehow with my teammates. I think that led to the victory against Gangwon Province, which was held after the first round of the ACLE. It is on a three-game winning streak, starting with the match against Gangwon Province. I will continue this trend. 메이저놀이터
Q. It must have been very difficult for Hong Yun-sang to lose six consecutive games.
It was really tough. It was the first time for me to lose six consecutive games since I started playing soccer. The same happened to my team. Pohang is not a team that is used to losing. What can I do? The cause of the six consecutive losses lies with us. I agonized over and over what was wrong with me first. I poured everything out from the training ground. Overcoming the six consecutive losses will remain a big experience for me.