“I prepared with only the intention of winning the game.”
Pohang Steelers coach Kim Ki-dong will hold the first match of Group J of the 2023-2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) against Hanoi FC (Vietnam) at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam at 9 p.m. (Korean time) on the 20th. At a pre-press conference held a day before, he pledged to win.
Pohang is currently on an undefeated streak (5 wins, 4 draws) in 9 games in K League 1. Especially the last two wins in a row. In an upward trend, they are looking at a come-from-behind victory by narrowing the point gap with leader Ulsan Hyundai to 6. Meanwhile, we are determined to continue the good trend through victory in the ACL.
Coach Kim said, “ACL is a competition that all teams want to participate in,” and added, “This time, Pohang will participate as the Korean representative. I remember achieving good results in ACL as a player and coach. He expressed his determination, saying, “I will get off to a good start and prepare to do well this year as well.”
He said, 안전놀이터“I know that this is the team that Pohang faced in the 2016 ACL Playoffs (PO). “I remember that the team name was different at that time,” he said. “I know that they are the team that has won the most league titles in Vietnam. I checked it with video. “There are quite a few fast players, so we have to be careful about that,” he added.
Pohang is familiar with the team, having attended winter training in Hanoi earlier this year. Coach Kim said, “We are aware of the first time that a Korean professional team held training camp in Hanoi. On the way to the hotel yesterday, I saw familiar roads. “It felt like I was returning home from an away trip,” he said. “I think he had some foresight.” “I think it would be more comfortable for the players to play in a familiar place rather than coming to a new place to play,” he said.
Ko Young-jun, who plays a key role in the second line, will not be able to play because he has been selected for the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. Coach Kim said, “He is a good player. It’s technical. “He is of great help to the team,” he said, adding, “Pohang is not a team that is shaken just because one player is missing. He has reached his current position with other players filling in his shoes well. “It’s disappointing, but I hope other players will perform well in that position,” he said.
Lastly, Coach Kim said, “I prepared for this match against Hanoi with the sole intention of winning the game. “It will be a difficult game because it is an away game, but I think we can get good results if we prepare well,” he said, pledging to win.