Kim Ji-ho (21) of Suwon Samsung in the K League 2 has once again scored an attack point, leading his team to win. Having already accumulated five attack points since joining the team last month, Kim said, “I am grateful to the coach for the opportunity and the players who helped me.”
Kim started in the 26th round of Hana Bank K League 2 2024 against Anyang at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, and led his team to a 2-1 victory by scoring one goal and one assist. In the first half, he connected the deflected ball with an exquisite left-footed shot to shake the net. He became the first scorer in the first match of Yongin Mir Stadium. In the second half, he had a good chest pass to assist Mulic in scoring an additional goal. He played for just 64 minutes, but his performance was good enough to be considered the best player of the day.
He made his name in the match against Bucheon FC last month by scoring two goals and one assist, and on the same day, he made more than two offensive points and was responsible for three points. Suwon continued its unbeaten league matches (4 wins and 6 draws) since the inauguration of Coach Byun Sung-hwan and maintained its fifth place (37 points) in the league.
Kim Ji-ho, who faced reporters after the match, said, “We will play with the Jeonnam Dragons and Seoul E-Land, which are superior teams to us including today’s game. We prepared hard with the mindset of securing the top spot with consecutive wins. We are happy to help our team win with the points of attack.”
Kim Ji-ho, who has already attended his second interview with a veteran player for five games since his debut in the league, said, “It’s such an honor to be able to have an interview. I’m so grateful to the coach for giving me the opportunity and to the team that helped me.”
Kim Ji-ho is attracting attention for his long-term relationship with manager Byun Sung-hwan. In the past, when manager Byun Sung-hwan started his leadership career, he remembered being with 11-year-old Kim Ji-ho. Since then, coach Byun has constantly monitored Kim Ji-ho, and last month, he called and scouted him. Kim Ji-ho responded by scoring two goals and one assist in 11 days after joining the team.
Then, what kind of person is the coach Byun Sung-hwan from Kim Ji-ho’s perspective? “He appeared in the elementary school training ground wearing sunglasses and charismatic. I was overwhelmed once in charisma,” Kim said. “I think the coach’s leadership and charisma to lead the team are extraordinary. I learned a lot soccer and I am really good with him tactically. I am so grateful for the opportunity. He is the best leader.”
According to manager Byun Sung-hwan, Kim chose to go to Suwon despite a relatively small offer. “The manager called me directly and asked me if I wanted to join. I said okay without any hesitation. My goal is to play for a professional team, and I am so happy to achieve that dream. I don’t care about the conditions (of money). I am grateful that I am happily playing soccer with the manager,” Kim said.
Meanwhile, both Kim Ji-ho’s score and assist attracted attention. First of all, his score will go down in history as his first score at Yongin Mir Stadium. “I left Yongin City Football Center. That’s why the score is so meaningful. Everyone says Yongin is my home town,” Kim Ji-ho said, reiterating, “I was able to score thanks to the help of my team members.” 메이저놀이터
The assist was made with a sensible chest pass to Mulic. Kim Ji-ho, who recalled the scoring scene, said, “It was a situation where we rushed to the box due to tactical orders. Luckily, the ball came, and Mulic appealed positively. I trusted his volley shot. It was a perfect goal.”
Meanwhile, he reportedly left a comment that it doesn’t feel real because he hasn’t received a salary yet since his debut as a professional last month. When asked about this, Kim Ji-ho asserted, “It feels real now,” and said, “Today, I will get another allowance. I will go to a good restaurant with my parents tomorrow. My first salary was to buy coffee for the team, but it almost flew away. And I got a haircut.” When the reporters asked, “Will you run coffee again?” Kim Ji-ho answered honestly, “I don’t think it will be easy twice,” making people laugh.