‘FA Cup Wonder Goal’ Hong Yun-sang of Pohang “We can aim to Win the ACL”
At a press conference ahead of the ACL home match against Japan's Urawa, coach Kim Ki-dong said, "Winning the FA Cup could have a negative impact by lowering tensions."
“I won the FA Cup, but I think I can aim for the Asian Champions League as well.” 스포츠토토
Hong Yun-sang (21), who scored a ‘wonder goal’ to help Pohang Steelers win the Korea Football Association FA Cup, said to the Asian Football Confederation: (AFC) He revealed his desire to win the Champions League (ACL).
Hong Yun-sang said at a press conference held at Pohang Steel Yard on the 7th, a day before the 4th game of Group J of the 2023-2024 ACL group stage against Urawa Reds (Japan), "I am very happy to win the FA Cup.
It is difficult to play (ACL) in this condition. “I think it will be of great help,” he said.
Hong Yun-sang scored a goal to give Pohang a 4-2 win in the FA Cup final against Jeonbuk Hyundai held on the 4th.
In the extra time of the second half, he fired a right-footed curling shot from the square left of the goal area into the opposite corner of the goal.
It was a beautiful goal that could not have been better to celebrate winning the FA Cup for the first time in 10 years.
Hong Yun-sang said, “It is natural for a striker to want to score a goal in any game,” and added, “I am more glad that I helped the team win the championship than scoring a wonder goal.
“I think it always works out as long as I do what the director tells me to do,” he said.
Pohang is currently in first place in Group J with all three wins in the group stage.
If they win this game against Urawa, they can confirm their advancement to the round of 16 early.
Urawa, which is ranked 3rd in the J1 League this season, is evaluated to be somewhat ahead of Pohang Steel in terms of objective power.
Although they won 2-0 in their first match against Urawa on the road, Pohang coach Kim Ki-dong does not let go of his nerves.
Coach Kim Ki-dong said, "Urawa is a technically better team than us.
I think the players overcame it with their mental strength.
The return match takes place while (both teams) are physically difficult.
Still, since it is our home, wouldn't it be better physically?
“I think,” he said.
He continued, "It is true that I have become mentally more relaxed (by winning the FA Cup)," but added, "It may be bad because the tension has decreased.
I will think about how to instill motivation for victory in the players."
Coach Kim Ki-dong also publicly apologized to the Urawa club for the poor condition of the training ground grass.
It is said that the Pohang Clubhouse training ground grass is very damaged due to the summer heat wave.
Coach Kim Ki-dong said, "When I went to Japan, I was treated well (by Urawa).
I was able to train well at the good training ground provided by Urawa," and "I am sorry for not being able to provide a good training ground to Urawa."