"When I'm winning, I'll be lazy, and I'll definitely reduce runs and ups and downs..."
The Pohang Steelers, led by head coach Kim Ki-dong, won 4-2 in the first Group J away match of the 2023-2024 ACL against Hanoi FC at Hang Dei Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, on the 20th.
On this day, Pohang showed off its best performance. It overwhelmed Hanoi in terms of organizational skills and individual skills. The result was from the first half hour. The fact that Damien LeTalek, the opposing foreign defender, cleared the cross that Wandelsson connected to the gate, crossed the goalkeeper's height and was sucked into the net.
Pohang, which got a lucky own goal, scored an additional goal four minutes later. Yoon Min-ho, who was helped by Zeka, shook the net with a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty box and scored his ACL debut goal. In the 39th minute of the first half, Kim In-sung, who was helped by Zeka, scored a wedge goal. Kim In-sung also delivered his fourth goal to the team in the fourth minute of the second half. Zeka scored an assist hat-trick on the day.
However, the Pohang players' concentration declined as it widened to 4-0. Unnecessary backpasses have increased. In the process, the ball was blocked by the opponent and was counterattacked. In the end, he allowed Diédéric Tagueu to score consecutive goals in the 8th minute of the second half and 42nd minute of the second half.
After the game, head coach Kim said in a press conference, "The away game will always be a difficult game." I thought I would be able to lead the game more comfortably if the goal went in early, but I didn't think the first goal would go in like this. Fortunately, I was able to rotate to prepare for the next game by scoring a lot of points in the first half. This was a situation that worked in an advantageous way," he said.
Pohang also gave the opponent a decisive scoring chance at the beginning of the game. Park Chan-yong was able to pass the opponent's shot with his body and goalkeeper Hwang In-jae's good defense. In response, head coach Kim said, "I gave up a lot of chances at the beginning of the first half. In particular, he gave up two crucial chances. But the players came to their senses when they allowed that chance. It showed a more firm appearance. Didn't it serve as an opportunity to show Hanoi what we prepared?"
However, regarding the loose play in the 4-0 lead, "This situation often happens when you play soccer. He tells the players that they must lead the game without ups and downs until the end of the first half, second half, and game to become a strong team. Soccer is hard. Nevertheless, when he is winning, he is seen lazy once or twice, and he undoubtedly loses points. I keep communicating in that area. Do I have to scold him?(Laughs) I will prepare well to play without ups and downs in order to become a stronger team," he explained.
All four K-League teams that advanced to the ACL won. Coach Kim said, "It is an opportunity to inform the players of the status of Korean soccer because they appeared in the ACL on behalf of the Korean national flag at the top of the uniform, the emblem under it, and the Korean professional team." I want to play with pride,' he said. I feel good about the strong performance of the K League. "As a coach of the K League, I am happy and proud to be here," he said.