Song Min-kyu and Baek Seung-ho created a picture that should have come out of the Hangzhou Asian Games.
The 28th round of the Hana One Q K League 2023 between Jeonbuk Hyundai and Daejeon Hana Citizen at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on the 25th was a game of revenge and defence. Jeonbuk is winless against Daejeon this year with a 1-1 draw. In particular, the shocking 1-2 defeat at home in April led to a ‘must win’ mentality.
Daejeon coach Lee Min-sung humbled himself, saying, “(The last away win) was just a fluke”. Over the course of four months, both teams have changed a bit in terms of player composition and style.
Jeonbuk coach Dan Petrescu emphasised his team’s ability to come back from 0-3 down to 3-3 against the Pohang Steelers in the previous round, saying, “(Despite losing 3-4)안전놀이터, they are strong enough to score three goals in seven minutes. They are aggressive and have speed.”
After a strong start, the two teams drew 1-1. Daejeon Thiago scored the first goal in the 33rd minute, but Jeonbuk Song Min-kyu scored in the 38th minute when he didn’t miss a pass from Baek Seung-ho. Baek Seung-ho’s accurate forward pass reached Song Min-gyu, who boldly entered the left side of the penalty area and shot to split the goal.
Song Min-gyu always wants to play well. ⓒKorea Professional Football Association
Song Min-gyu always wants to play well. ⓒKorean Professional Football Association
Song Min-kyu always wants to play well. ⓒKorean Football Association
Song Min-kyu is one of Hwang Sun-hong’s key attackers ⓒKorea Football Association
Song Min-kyu scored the first goal with a header against Iceland. It was his debut goal for the A team. Byun Hye-mi Reporter
It was natural to be happy after scoring a goal, but Song Min-gyu’s expression was not so bright. It was understandable. With the score tied 1-1, the desired victory did not come.
“I was lucky that (Baek Seung-ho’s pass) came through,” Song said with humility. “As a striker, it’s something you have to constantly think about and reflect on. If we score goals, we win, but if we don’t, I think the team’s situation is not good. I have to take responsibility as a striker and try harder,” he said.
Song Min-kyu doesn’t enjoy his sixth goal in the league. However, the more pressure he has to score, the harder it is to play. “In the current situation, I think it’s okay for the forward line to take the pressure. If we delay (the win), it’s hard to get the three points. I think we need to take a little bit more responsibility,” he said, talking about accountability.
It’s frustrating, but if it can be solved, it can be done. Song Min-kyu also said, “We need to talk to each other more while playing. I can see some discrepancies. We need to communicate with our teammates.”
After the 29th round match against Jeju United, Song will join the U-24 team as they prepare for the Hangzhou Asian Games. Song is keen to get a win before travelling to Hangzhou. “I feel sorry for the fans because we haven’t won in three games. I will play one game and then join the team. I will definitely go with a win. I’m going to win the gold medal, but before that, I’m going to focus on the team and get a win,” he said.
“As a striker, it’s good to have passes like that,” he said, “and if they don’t come, I can score goals on my own. If it doesn’t come, it’s your job to score goals with your individual ability. I think I need to score more from now on,” he said, adding that he hopes he and Baek Seung-ho can work together.
Central defender Park Jin-seop will also accompany the team to the Asian Games. For him, scoring a goal with a pass from Baek Seung-ho and Park Jin-seop at the back is a doubly good feeling. “Since practice, I’ve been practising (passing) to (Park) Jin-seop and (Baek) Seung-ho as long as they see eye-to-eye. On average, Jin-seob would do it twice and Seung-ho would do it once. I think Jin-seob should talk to his brother more,” he joked.
Goalkeeper Kim Jung-hoon, who fulfilled his military service obligations, is also heading to Hangzhou. After the final roster was finalised, there was a funny story about Park Jin-seob and Baek Seung-ho subtly pressuring Kim to “do well”. “I think I’m talking to him more these days,” said Song Min-gyu. He’s the only one (of the four Jeonbuk players sent to the Asian Games) who went to the army. That’s why he talks about it in a bad way.”
Song Mingyu is serious instead of laughing. “We’re going to score a lot of goals against Jeju, and we’re going to score a lot of goals at the Asian Games,” he said. “The players don’t care about the negative views of the outside world. We just need to be clear about what we need to do. We will do our best. I am in constant communication with the players,” he concluded.