FC Seoul’s ‘Local Boy’ Kang Seong-jin reacted with regret to the fact that his biggest rival, Suwon Samsung, was in danger of relegation.짱구카지노
Seoul beat Gangwon 2-1, making up for one goal with back-to-back goals from Na Sang-ho and Ji Dong-won in the Hana One Q K League 1 2023 34th round match held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 22nd.
Seoul, which had already confirmed its stay in K League 1 and added 3 points, maintained 7th place with 13 wins, 11 draws, and 10 losses (50 points). On the other hand, Gangwon failed to escape the relegation zone with 4 wins, 14 draws, and 16 losses (26 points). Fortunately, Jeju United did not fall to last place as they beat Suwon Samsung at the same time.
Entering the final round, where the winning team and the relegated team are decided, Seoul fell to Final B (7th to 12th place match) and confirmed its retention in the first division. Since the point difference with 10th place Suwon FC, which was in the promotion playoffs, was 16 points, the ranking would not be overturned even if Suwon FC won all of the remaining 5 games.
Therefore, motivation was bound to be lower compared to Gangwon, which urgently needed to escape the relegation zone. Nevertheless, acting coach Kim Jin-gyu expressed confidence that the players were mentally prepared, saying about the Gangwon match, “We have already talked to the players about motivation for two weeks.”
As Deputy Kim said, Seoul attacked Gangwon without stopping throughout the game. They dominated the game against Gangwon from the beginning of the game. The first half ended 0-0 with no important goals scored, but Na Sang-ho’s free kick lead in the 8th minute of the second half made the game easier.
They gave up an equalizer to Gangwon Gabriel in the 33rd minute of the second half, but just two minutes later Ji Dong-won scored the winning goal, dashing Gangwon’s glimmer of hope. After the game, Assistant Manager Kim praised Ji Dong-won, who returned from a long injury and scored a goal, saying, “I think many juniors should see Ji Dong-won and follow his example.”
Kang Seong-jin, who was scheduled to play as a starter on this day but was changed to a substitute in the second half of the day, played the starting role in Ji Dong-won’s scoring scene after being brought in and showed off his light movements.
After the game, Kang Seong-jin, who appeared in the mixed zone (joint coverage area) holding a large amplifier, said, “It wasn’t because I was the youngest, but because no one was holding it when I came out, so naturally I brought it.” “I think we could have advanced to the top split before, but the team hasn’t been able to do so for almost four years, and I feel very sorry because I’ve been in the bottom split for three years since debuting in Seoul,” he said.
He added, “This year, I was away from the team for a long time, and there were injuries. I need to win all the remaining games as much as possible and prepare well for next season. Still, I’m very sorry that I didn’t make it to the top split.”
Seongjin Kang is a ‘local boy’ who made his professional debut in Seoul after playing for the club’s youth teams, Osan Middle School and Osan High School.
Kang Seong-jin said, “I was on the under-20 national team, and as soon as I came to Korea, I got injured almost immediately and had to rest, so I couldn’t help the team. It was difficult watching from the outside. I think my older brothers were very good and fought well.” He added, “I’ve always watched Seoul since middle school. “I thought it would be great to go to the top split (Final A) this year, but I feel great responsibility for not being able to make decisions in the games against Suwon FC and Jeonbuk Hyundai.”
For Kang Seong-jin, who grew up in Seoul, rival Suwon Samsung is a special person. But he may not have to face Suwon next season.
Regarding this, Kang Seong-jin said, “Ever since I was in middle school, whenever I met (Maetan Middle School), it was a ‘little super match.’ “I see a lot of people being relegated and going up and down because of the game. I know because I went down to that position the year before last, and I know it will be a very difficult and difficult time for me as a player,” he said, expressing regret about the situation of Suwon, his lifelong rival.
He said he admired veteran Ji Dong-won. Kang Seong-jin said, “There is a reason why both Dong-won and Seong-yong are respected. I felt so much while watching them up close. The more I see them, the more amazing they are.”
When asked what specifically impressed him, he said, “I feel it a lot in self-management, training, and the attitude of preparing for games. Skills are skills, but attitude, passion, competitive spirit, and tenacity are all amazing.” He added, “Even though he is an old veteran, he works really hard. “I am the one who is hungrier, but I think my older brothers are still motivated and have a sense of purpose, and I think we should emulate that attitude,” he explained.