“FC Seoul’s Asian Champions League is more important than the national team’s boarding.”
FC Seoul participated in training at GS Champions Park in Guri, Gyeonggi Province at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Seoul started training to prepare for the match against the Pohang Steelers shortly after coach Kim Ki-dong (52), captain Ki Sung-yueng (35), and Jesse Lingard (32, Seoul).
Seoul, which started the 2024 season by working with head coach Kim Ki-dong, has achieved its first advance to the Final A in five years since the 2019 season. At the beginning of the season, he was a little anxious because he rarely won the home game, but as time passed, his performance improved and the results also followed, steadily accumulating points.
Seoul, which advanced to the final round for the first time in five years, lost 0-1 in an away match against Gangwon FC in round 34 on Tuesday. Since then, it won an away match against Suwon FC on Wednesday, ranking fourth in the league with 53 points (15 wins, 8 draws and 12 losses).
“I think this is a game where 95 percent of our players will advance to the Asian Champions League. If more than 50,000 fans come, the players will cheer up. I think the next match against Ulsan HD will be a moment where we can break the jinx of years,” Kim said, stressing the importance of the match against Pohang.
After the training ended, he met Choi Joon (25). After leaving the Busan I’Park, Choi, who wore the Seoul uniform this season, is considered one of the best recruiters along with Lingard among fans.
He also showed his best performance in the right fullback position, and he played his part in the midfield by playing midfielder when the team needed him.
In recognition of his great performance, he was also selected for the Korean national team in May. He has yet to make his debut. “His physical condition is as good as usual,” Choi said after finishing his training.
Next is Choi Jun and Moon Jae-in.
Head coach Kim Ki-dong stressed the importance of the Pohang Steelers match.
-I think there is only one game that we won against Pohang this year. Winning at the important moment is more meaningful. If you win this time, you will get a point difference and you will be more advantageous for the Asian Champions League ticket. We are preparing with tension. (Ki) Sung-yong and everyone thinks it is important.
Have you heard anything about the role you will play against Pohang.
-There is nothing specific yet. He will tell me at the meeting tomorrow (31st).
The coach is the type to talk to the player a lot personally. 메이저놀이터
-He’s playful with me, but he points out his shortcomings a lot. He said he seems to be acting in a hurry when he can be calm during the game. He also points out the pass miss.
Captain Ki Sung-yueng returned.
-One more player came in who could set the team atmosphere. Lingard played such a good role, but Sung-yong’s joining gave him a bigger boost. In the match against Suwon FC in the previous game, there was no light atmosphere that was originally felt. Certainly, as Sung-yong came in, I felt a big change in that area.
I didn’t talk much in the locker room, but the atmosphere varies greatly depending on whether there is one player or not. The light atmosphere has disappeared a lot.