Latest news with #JeonbukHyundaiMotors
Korea Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Korea Herald
K League's top scorer named to S. Korean squad on verge of World Cup qualification
The leading scorer in the South Korean league has earned his first national team call-up with the country on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Head coach Hong Myung-bo announced his 26-man squad on Monday for the Taegeuk Warriors' two remaining matches in Group B in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors forward Jeon Jin-woo, who is leading the K League 1 with 10 goals this season, made the national team for the first time at age 25. He has never played for any national team in any age group. Thanks to his breakout performance, Jeon was voted the K League 1 Player of the Month for April. Jeon is the only player on this iteration of the team to be called up for the first time, though three players, including FC Midtjylland defender Lee Han-beom, are looking to collect their first cap after receiving call-ups for earlier matches. He is joined by some familiar faces, including captain Son Heung-min, fresh off a UEFA Europa League title with Tottenham Hotspur, and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in, whose French club will play in the UEFA Champions League final this weekend. Conspicuous by his absence on the backline is Bayern Munich center back Kim Min-jae, a longtime mainstay for South Korea. He has been battling an Achilles injury for most of the season and also missed two World Cup qualifiers in March. South Korea will face Iraq in the southern Iraqi city of Basra at 9:15 p.m. on June 5. Then South Korea will host Kuwait at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8 p.m. on June 10. South Korea are leading their group with 16 points on four wins and four draws, three points ahead of Jordan. With the top two teams from each group punching their tickets to the World Cup, South Korea can clinch their spot with at least a draw against Iraq. South Korea have played at every World Cup since 1986 in Mexico. They have had three straight 1-1 draws -- against Palestine in November and then against Oman and Jordan in consecutive matches at home in March. With the two recent draws, South Korea missed out on a chance to qualify for the big tournament early in front of home supporters. (Yonhap)
Washington Post
13-02-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
How a goalkeeper from South Korea landed with D.C. United
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — D.C. United's decision on whether to pursue South Korean goalkeeper Kim Joon Hong this winter involved factors well beyond shot-stopping ability. Club officials needed to take into account Kim's age (21); language barriers (he speaks little English); and cultural differences (he had never lived outside South Korea or visited the United States). 'All these things weigh into the conversation,' goalkeeper coach Cody Mizell said this week. During a scouting mission to South Korea in December, Mizell and United got their answers. Aside from playing at a level belying his age, Kim expressed through an interpreter his excitement about moving abroad. In those conversations over dinner, he also displayed a degree of maturity that promised to ease his transition. United was sold on him, and once a transfer deal was struck with Kim's club, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the 6-foot-2 goalkeeper and the MLS team embarked on an adventure into the great unknown. 'It's my first season playing outside the [South Korean] league, so I do have my worries,' Kim said through an interpreter. 'But at the same time, it's more excitement than butterflies, and I'm confident I am going to do well this season.' United's confidence in Kim is so high that, from all indications, it is preparing to award him the starting job for the Feb. 22 opener against Toronto FC at Audi Field. Coach Troy Lesesne has not announced his decision, but through the first four games of the five-game preseason schedule, Kim has started three. He did not play in Wednesday's loss to Nashville SC but seems certain to start Saturday against the Houston Dynamo. 'I want to make sure that when that decision is made, he's earned it and it's the right decision for him,' Lesesne said of the Feb. 22 assignment. 'There's just a lot to put on a young kid's plate in that position. It's a lot, but he can handle it.' The other options are Luis Barraza, a winter acquisition from New York City FC who made his first preseason appearance Wednesday after overcoming a minor knee injury, and Jordan Farr, acquired from second-division Tampa Bay. United had cut ties with all four keepers from the 2024 squad. What impressed United about Kim: not only his command of the penalty area and his capacity for big saves but his footwork and distribution. His ceiling is high, team officials said. 'For a guy of his age to do it over and over consistently, and the range of passing over distance, it's one of the best I've ever seen,' Mizell said. Kim is aiming to continue his ascent after four years in the South Korean league. When he heard about United's interest, 'I was swayed immediately,' he said. 'The idea of playing in the States was very intriguing, and I learned more about it. The World Cup being here in 2026 is another big factor.' Kim appears on the pathway to the World Cup. Since his heroics at the 2023 Under-20 World Cup in Argentina, where South Korea reached the semifinals, he has received several call-ups — though no playing time — for a national team that has qualified for every World Cup since 1986. With the field expanded to 48 teams from 32, South Korea is almost a shoo-in. Kim's father was a pro goalkeeper, as well. Kim Lee Sup never made it to the national team but did enjoy a long career in the South Korean league and, for many years, has worked as a goalkeeper coach on that domestic circuit. 'I actually started playing soccer because of my dad and became a goalie because of my dad,' Kim Joon Hong said. 'As a kid, going to my dad's matches, rather than enjoying watching the strikers or players score goals, I was fascinated with the goalkeeper stopping goals.' Kim calls his father every night. 'He will ask me how I practiced and, if there are things that don't go well, he will give advice,' Kim said. 'But my dad has always been respectful of boundaries and what the goalkeeper coaches here are teaching. It's more about his experience that is very impactful.' Recognizing Kim's need for transitional support, United hired a full-time interpreter: Jisung Kim, a St. Louis native who graduated from American University last year. Aside from speaking Korean, he appealed to United through his knowledge of South Korean soccer — and of the goalkeeper. Kim Joon Hong is eager to learn English and, at training camp, is making strides. Right away, Mizell worked with Jisung Kim on commands in English for the goalkeeper to learn. 'The second day,' Mizell said, 'he was using them on the pitch.' Still, an interpreter is helping to strengthen communication with teammates on and off the field and ease the cultural transition. During practice, Jisung Kim, in team apparel, is close by. 'They did teach English in [my South Korean] school,' Kim Joon Hong said through his interpreter, 'but I admit I wasn't the best learner.' Kim is among four players from South Korea in MLS this season and among eight to play in the league over the past 22 years. Lesesne said: 'Little by little, [Kim's English] is coming along. That's good, and obviously we have Jisung, and Jisung is amazing.' Since arriving in the United States last month, Kim Joon Hong has spent most of his time in Florida. 'Nice weather,' he said in English. Where did he choose to live in the Washington area? 'Arlington,' he said in English. That's not near Annandale, the heart of the D.C. area's Korean American community, which is the third largest in the United States. Kim said he wants to step out of his comfort zone. When he began seeking a home, he looked near United's training center in Leesburg. 'We told him there's not much out there,' center back Lucas Bartlett said, laughing. 'He was like, 'Wait, I'm just going to play Topgolf all day?' He had no idea. I think he is now looking forward to seeing the city more and exploring the U.S.'
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 Season Preview: Gimcheon Sangmu FC
With the off-the-field issues regarding the future of Sangmu FC's home base being resolved on Monday—following the news that they will be staying in Gimcheon for the next two seasons—the team can now focus on their on-the-pitch performance. They will be looking for more of the same as they head into a second consecutive season in K League 1, following their impressive third-place finish last year. K League United's Stuart Warren previews the season ahead. 18W-9D-11L, 3rd After securing promotion in 2023 by winning the K League 2 title—finishing just one point ahead of runners-up Busan IPark—many expected Gimcheon to struggle at the wrong end of the table last season. This was especially true given their reputation as a "yo-yo club," having bounced between the top two divisions over the past four seasons. However, they defied expectations with a highly impressive season, mounting an unexpected title challenge before eventually fading and finishing in third place. The season started perfectly for the military side, as they snatched a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Daegu FC in their opening game. They then embarked on an impressive run, losing just two of their first 15 matches and propelling themselves to the top of the table. While many doubted their staying power, Gimcheon continued to grind out results. For a long stretch, they even looked like potential title contenders. However, they eventually lost momentum and finished in a highly creditable third place behind champions Ulsan HD and another surprise package, Gangwon FC. A solid defense was the foundation of their success, as they led the league in clean sheets, finishing with 17 over the course of the season. In attack, Lee Dong-gyeong enjoyed a strong start to his Gimcheon career, netting five goals in just over half a season after joining from Ulsan HD in April. He was supported by winger Kim Dae-won, who also scored five goals and contributed eight assists. With the new intake of players completing their military service not arriving until April 7—three weeks into the season—there is some frustration that they won't be able to link up with the squad sooner. Nevertheless, the list of incoming players is reported to be: Go Jae-hyun (Daegu FC)Kim Yi-seok (Gangwon FC)Kim Joo-chan (Suwon Samsung Bluewings)Kim Tae-hwan (Jeju United)Moon Hyun-ho (Ulsan HD)Park Se-jin (Daegu FC)Park Cheol-woo (Suwon FC)Park Tae-jun (Gwangju FC)Baek Jong-beom (FC Seoul)Lee Su-bin (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)Lee Jeong-taek (Daejeon Hana Citizen)Lee Chan-wook (Gyeongnam FC)Jeon Byung-kwan (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) At this stage, it is difficult to predict which players will have the biggest impact, given the large intake joining an already established squad. However, one player to watch is winger Jeon the end of the 2023 season, Jeon was highly sought-after, with FC Seoul and Pohang Steelers among his suitors. In the end, he opted to leave Daejeon Hana Citizen to join Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Last season, he scored five goals and registered two assists—numbers he will be eager to improve upon in the upcoming campaign. One of Gimcheon's standout performers last season was midfielder Lee Dong-gyeong, who notched five goals in 19 appearances. He is expected to be a key attacking threat again this year. However, his military service ends in October, meaning he will return to Ulsan HD on October 26. Among the incoming players, one who could be crucial to Gimcheon's success is Daegu FC attacker Go Jae-hyun. He enjoyed prolific 2022 and 2023 seasons, scoring a combined 23 goals. However, he struggled in 2024, finishing with just two goals. Many believe that a change of scenery could help him rediscover his form. If he does, he will be a key part of Gimcheon's attack this season. One young player aiming to make a bigger impact this season is midfielder Lee Seung-won. After winning the Bronze Ball at the 2023 U-20 World Cup, expectations were high for the Gangwon FC prospect. However, his club career has started more slowly than his international one. A central midfielder with excellent passing range, Lee joined Gimcheon in April last year and made eight league appearances, scoring his first senior goal in September. Turning 22 in March, he still has plenty of time to develop, and many expect him to make a bigger impact in 2025. The biggest question facing Gimcheon this season is whether they can replicate last year's success. Predicting their performance is always challenging, as it largely depends on how well the new intake integrates into the squad. However, their fanbase will hope that the team can carry last season's momentum forward.
