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December 2023
Kim Ki-****'s assessment of the 2023 season is 'satisfactory'
POSTED ON
12/03/23
Pohang head coach Kim Ki-**** reflected on a satisfying season after leading the club to the K League runner-up spot, the FA Cup title, and a spot in the ACL Round of 16 (ongoing) this year.
"It was my last game in the K League this year," Kim said after Pohang's 0-0 draw with Gwangju in the 38th round of the 'Hana OneQ K League 1 2023' at the Gwangju Football Stadium on Wednesday. We've always played well against Gwangju, but the early sending-off disrupted our plans. We made the changes we could and thank the players for staying focused and doing their best until the end. We got something out of it."
On the day, Pohang faced a major setback when attacking spearhead Lee Ho-jae was sent off directly in the eighth minute of the first half. "In soccer, things like that happen in the moment. I knew I had to do something, so I pushed myself. I felt sorry for my teammates," said Ho-jae, who showed tears in his eyes. I hope it will be an opportunity for them to learn and grow as much as Jae Won, whose fortunes have skyrocketed this year."
During the match, goalkeeper Hwang In-jae made a number of saves. Pohang was outnumbered and outplayed, allowing 17 shots on goal. Hwang In-jae made a total of nine saves, including back-to-back headers by Heo Yul. Coach Kim said, "He blocked some shots that could have been goals. He did a good job, just like Cho Hyun-woo did in the East Coast derby when he blocked our shots," Kim said, giving him a thumbs-up. "With Kang Hyun-moo joining the army, 카지노사이트킴 there were some expectations that the goalkeeping position could be a problem, but I think Hwang In-jae's confidence and game sense improved a lot because he worked hard in winter training and the defenders did a good job. We were able to do well this year because In-Jae did so well," he said.
Pohang won the FA Cup and finished runner-up in the league this year. In the Asian Champions League, they qualified for the round of 16 by topping their group. It was their best performance since 2013, when they won the league and FA Cup 'double'. "I'm satisfied," said Kim. The only thing that would have been 2% short would have been the league title, but it would have been ridiculous if we had won the league. We wanted to achieve something this year, our 50th anniversary, and the players responded well in that direction in games and training. We accomplished what we set out to do. It was a great honor for me and a happy year," he smiled.
Pohang will challenge for the league title again next year. Will they have the financial strength to challenge 'two-time defending champion' Ulsan? "I don't think it will be much different. There is a limit to how much money we can raise. However, I appreciate the efforts the club has made to communicate with the local community and businesses."
