That’s how goalkeeper Kim Dong-heon responded to coach Cho Sung-hwan’s “plea” after his super-save performance boosted Incheon United’s chances of qualifying for the round of 16 in the 2023-2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL).
Incheon defeated Yokohama Marinos (Japan) 2-1 at home in the fifth leg of their 2023-2024 AFC ACL Group G match at the Incheon Football Stadium on Nov. 28.
Incheon, playing in the ACL for the first time in its 20-year history, improved to second place (9-3W, 2L) and boosted its chances of qualifying for the Round of 16.
Goalkeeper Kim Dong-heon was the main reason for the win.
Kim made three or four saves in the first half alone, including an animalistic reflex save on a header from Yokohama’s Iweru in the seventh minute.
In the 34th minute, Kim again saved a powerful right-footed shot by Yokohama’s Eduardo from a corner kick, and two minutes later, he was one-on-one with Mizunuma Gota to tip over his left-footed shot to keep his side in the game.
Kim Dong-heon’s one-man show was enough to keep Yokohama scoreless despite firing five first-half shots on target.
In a post-match interview, coach Cho Sung-hwan told Kim Dong-heon, who will join Gimcheon Commerce on April 4, to delay his enlistment. I hope he can contribute to the team and join the military before the final game of the ACL group stage, Caya (Philippines),” he said, expressing his gratitude.
Earlier, the Ministry of Armed Forces announced that it would postpone the enlistment date for Gimcheon Commercial Recruits of the Armed Forces Athletic Corps only at the request of the players themselves, considering the schedule of the K League Promotion Playoffs (PO) 카지노사이트 and the final match of the AFC ACL group stage.
As a result, players who are scheduled to enlist can apply for a postponement of their enlistment according to their respective teams’ game schedules, and will be enlisted in December after playing as many games as possible.
Kim Dong-heon, who was caught by Cho’s ‘mistake’, said, “I think he told me his wishes,” and then added, “I haven’t told him yet whether to postpone my enlistment. I’ll try to play a little ‘trick’ with the director,” he laughed.
He continued, “I think it’s important to adjust to the military, so it’s important to coordinate the timing of my enlistment with my classmates to some extent.” He added, “If there is a player who can join me, I’m willing to postpone my enlistment.”
“I’m performing well thanks to the coach’s trust, and I want to make the coach happy,” said Kim Dong-heon, adding, “(If I postpone my enlistment), the Kaya game on the 13th of next month is the last game of the season. I’ll try to keep the same mindset as now, relaxed, and a little more focused than today.”
Yokohama head coach Kevin Muscat also mentioned Kim Dong-heon, saying, “There were several times in the first half when their goalkeeper made very good saves, and if he hadn’t made those saves, we would have scored two or three points in the first half alone. We never missed our chances, it’s just that their goalkeeper did a good job.”
Kim Dong-heon responded, “I’m grateful. I think the team atmosphere was good as the young players were united and full of fighting spirit,” he said, attributing his performance to the team.
“In the fourth round of the league, we conceded five goals in an away game against Gwangju FC and were a little sagging, but after the news of my acceptance into the team, I felt a little more relaxed,” he said, adding, “I think the mindset of trying to do it without injury was well maintained.” 온라인카지노사이트
