Head coach Kim Ki-dong (52) of the Pohang Steelers, a professional football team celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding, had quite a few worries going into the second half of the year. It was because of concerns that Pohang would have a hard time overcoming the hot summer season due to limitations in power, even though Pohang is racing ahead with good results (2nd place) that surpasses expectations before the opening. When rivals add strength in the summer transfer market, Pohang, which lacks a budget, has to wait for the return of injured players. Pohang last year’s total annual salary (7.7 billion won) was only 10th out of 12 clubs.
However, Pohang defended its 2nd place until the scorching heat subsided little by little.
Hong Yun-sang (21, pictured) cannot be left out as the main character who blew away director Kim’s worries. A native of Pohang Youth, he advanced to Germany in 2021 and recently rejoined Pohang. Hong Yun-sang left a strong impression on fans even before his debut. On the 20th, he came on as a substitute in the 35th minute of the second half in a home game against Daejeon Hana Citizen and scored the winning goal to turn a 3-3 tie into a 4-3 victory. On the 26th, in the Gangwon FC expedition, he started and was responsible for the goal that ended the match, which had been drawn 0-1, with a 1-1 tie.메이저사이트
Coach Kim said, “He is a young player, but his level of play is extraordinary.”
In fact, Hong Yun-sang was one of the top prospects among his peers during his school days. The reason he transferred completely as soon as he went on loan to Wolfsburg, Germany two years ago is because he was recognized for his extraordinary potential. Last season in Nuremberg, he was extraordinary enough to record 7 goals and 9 assists while playing 26 games as a loan player. Hong Yun-sang said, “I could have stayed in Europe, but there were various problems, so I decided to go to Pohang with the idea of playing soccer in a comfortable place.” “There is no difference between Europe and the K-League. I run with a grateful heart every day,” he said.
Hong Yun-sang, who has become a new engine for Pohang, also regained the Taegeuk mark. On the 28th, he was named to the Olympic soccer team composed of under-22 (U-22) players. The national team will play the 2024 Paris Olympics Asian qualifiers and the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers held in Changwon from September 6 to 12. Hwang Seon-hong, coach of the Olympic team, is also known to have paid attention to Hong Yun-sang’s performance.
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