Jeju United drew 1-1 with FC Seoul in the 14th round of the ‘Hana 1 Q K League 1 2023’ held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium at 6 pm on the 20th. As a result, Jeju ranked 3rd in the league with 7 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses (24 points, goal difference +8), while Seoul ranked 2nd with 7 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses (24 points, goal difference +10).
At the stadium that day, Koo Ja-cheol and Ki Sung-yueng, who won the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, faced each other on the same ground. Both players returned to the K-League after a long European career and played for their home team. Koo Ja-cheol announced his return to the K-League last season, and Ki Sung-yueng started playing in 2020.
This is the second time the two players have faced each other since returning. Last season, Koo Ja-cheol was unable to play the entire season due to frequent injuries, so the confrontation could not be concluded. Fortunately, as both players prepared for the season in normal condition this season, they faced each other once in the first round robin. At that time, Ki Sung-yong laughed.
In the second match, the two players fought fiercely. Both Koo Ja-cheol and Ki Sung-yueng played as the core of the team’s midfield and were in charge of coordinating the game. The match was very fierce. Seoul launched an offensive, but Jeju did not concede a goal based on a tight defense.
The first goal belonged to Jeju. In the 34th minute of the second half, Ahn Hyun-beom broke the right side, and Yuri Jonatan caught the pass from the front of the arc, and shook the net with a calm shot. A six-game winning streak was on the horizon, but Jeju gave up a goal to Willian in the 39th minute of the second half and ended up drawing 1-1.
After the match, Koo Ja-cheol, whom we met in the Mixed Zone, opened up about his confrontation with Ki Sung-yueng. He said, “Being on the pitch with (Ki) Sung-yong in itself makes us look back on our time before and after the game. Memories, happiness, and the meaning of creating another good time for the fans who supported us in those days. I am very happy, as well as Sung-yong in ”. I have a sense of responsibility and duty to do well.”
Even before the game, the two players communicated and showed chemistry. Koo Ja-cheol said, “I asked if I was going to be a man-to-man, so I asked if I was a starter. Sung-yong came out an hour ago and said he didn’t even know. It seems,” he said.
The conversation continued between the two during the game. Koo Ja-cheol said, “We kept talking to each other during the game. Before the game, the manager came and got an injection, and asked how I was feeling. He kept asking me if I was overdoing it with my own words.” 스포츠토토
Koo Ja-cheol suffered a hamstring injury at the beginning of last season and was unable to complete the season. However, he is leading the team’s six-match unbeaten streak this season by revitalizing Jeju’s midfield. Koo Ja-cheol said, “I think it’s because of my teammates. The players’ attitudes, efforts, and actions seem to give a great example. That’s why I think I have a great desire to work hard.”
Finally, Koo Ja-cheol concluded the interview by saying, “Just like soccer is 90 minutes, I think the season should end until the last game, so I think I need to keep focusing and working hard because it’s in the middle of the season.”