After starting the new season under Kim Hak-bum, professional soccer’s K League 1 Jeju United proved they are back on track with two straight wins in April. Jeju has transformed into a team that doesn’t tire easily in the second half, in line with head coach Kim Hak-bum’s new philosophy that emphasizes stamina.
Jeju won 1-0 away from home against Incheon United in the sixth round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2024 at the Incheon Football Stadium on June 6.
With a 2-0 win over Jeonbuk Hyundai on April 3, Jeju has now won both of its matches in April. With three wins, one draw, and one loss (10 points), the team moved up to fourth place in the 카지노사이트 K League 1 standings.
Jeju is looking to improve its form for the 2024 season.
“Every player must have the physical strength to play 100 minutes instead of 90,” said Kim Hak-bum, nicknamed “Tiger Teacher,” and throughout winter training, he emphasized strong fitness and reducing body fat in the squad.
In a video released on the club’s YouTube channel, Jeju’s players were tongue-in-cheek as they endured Kim’s “hell training” regimen.
After a tough winter, Jeju is slowly seeing the fruits of their labor in the spring. “At least by April, we will start to get back on track,” Kim confidently proclaimed, and indeed, with the spring breeze, Jeju’s physical training is starting to pay off.
In the midweek match against Jeonbuk, the team took a 1-0 lead and faced a strong push from their opponent in the final minutes, but they were able to hold on and score an additional goal in the 52nd minute to seal the victory.
It was the same story against Incheon. Jeju outplayed Incheon in the penalty shootout after the midway point of the second half, taking the lead in terms of activity and speed of attacking transitions.
Most encouragingly, the team remained focused, organized, and solid in the closing stages.
“In the past, Jeju would run out of energy after 70 minutes, so we couldn’t protect the victory and it was difficult to win in the last minute,” Kim said, adding, “It’s different now. Now, the players have the strength to play until the end without giving up,” Kim said.
The players themselves also felt the change in the team’s constitution.
Jeju’s Brazilian striker Yuri Jonatan joked, “I didn’t know what the new coach was like, but I definitely got to know him during the physical training,” but he also said, “Physical strength is important in soccer. In the second half, when the opponent is tiring, our players are running one more step. It’s effective enough.”
“We are still not at a satisfactory level. “If the players themselves feel the effect, they will get better in the future,” he said, expressing confidence that Jeju’s physical strength will lead to better soccer.