Incheon United’s “One Club Man” Kim Do-hyuk (31) shed tears. Incheon fans responded with applause and cheers.
Incheon’s challenge to the Asian stage for the first time in its team’s history has unfortunately come to an end. It failed to advance to the round of 16 teams at the AFC Champions League. The team had four wins (two losses) in its group league and 12 points, but failed to make it to the third place. If it had been a different group, it would have been a good chance to win the group, but Incheon was pushed to the third place, not even the winner. Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan) and Shandong Taishan (China), both of which had the same points, advanced to the round of 16 teams instead of Incheon.
Incheon did its best until the end. The team also won 3-1 in an away match at Kaya FC (Philippines), the last game of the Group G match. However, the team had to accept its fate as elimination. Midfielder Kim Do-hyuk, who led the team’s victory by scoring the net in extra time in the second half of the day, grabbed a loudspeaker after the match. He stood in front of Incheon fans who came all the way to the Philippines to cheer for the team.
However, Kim could not start talking easily. Tears welled up at the regret of his elimination. The precious ACL ticket that he garnered by making a huge splash last season. He tried to advance to the round of 16 after advancing to the ACL for the first time this season, but it was unfortunately canceled. “Thank you for coming to the game. I was so thankful to be with the fans of the ACL for the first time. I will be Kim Do-hyuk who works harder,” Kim promised. Incheon fans applauded and cheered for Kim Do-hyuk. The Incheon club released a touching video of such a scene on its SNS on the 14th. 월카지노
Incheon showed off its fighting spirit and perseverance again this season. It suffered a severe slump in the early part of the season, but overcame it to advance to the Final A. In the Final A, it had fierce battles with Gwangju FC and Jeonbuk Hyundai for the berth to the final minute of the season. Incheon failed to advance to the Asian stage for two consecutive seasons with 14 wins, 14 draws and 10 losses, but it displayed its strength to never give up. It also displayed competitive edge at its first attempt at the ACL by garnering four group wins.