“I think players are happy when they are on the pitch.”
Hwang Eui-jo, who returned to the K-League after six years, shared his impressions of playing on the ground as a starter with the team’s victory.
Hwang Eui-jo started the opening game against Incheon United in the Hana One Q 2023 K League 1 held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 25th and spent about 84 minutes on the ground.
After joining Girondins de Bordeaux (France) in the summer of 2019 and advancing to the European stage, he established himself as a leading striker. Thanks to his performance, he moved to Olympiacos (Greece) on loan after nesting in Nottingham Forest of the English Premier League (EPL) last year, but his position was unstable. In the end, he chose to go to Seoul on a short-term lease, and contributed to the team’s victory from the opening game. 안전놀이터
Hwang Eui-jo, who we met after the game, said, “The first game always tends to be difficult, but it was good to be able to show the things the players have prepared with great effort on the field. He took the first game, but said the future is important. Don’t relax and prepare well for the upcoming game.”
He formed a two-top team with Park Dong-jin. Hwang Ui-jo said, “During the preseason, Dong-jin was in good shape. He also continued to score goals. It seems that the director saw that part,” he said. “The choice is made by the director. It is important for players to prepare hard. No matter which player comes in, there are many cases where he does his part. He has to tune in,” he said.
There was a passionate support from the fans. The stadium was packed with 22,204 spectators that day. Hwang Ui-jo said, “I did it in Sangam when I played for the national team, so I felt it at that time. (Ki) Sungyong hyung and a lot of fans came to visit me. Despite the cold weather, they filled the stadium and ran harder.”
Seoul has stayed in Final B for the past few years. Hwang Eui-jo, who got off to a fresh start with a win in the opening game, said, “I’m so happy that I won the opening game. All players need more development. Personally, there are a lot of good players on the team. It is important to harmonize well and play the game, and how to get through it.”
He said, “Even if it’s not a goal in every game, my goal is to win and make a team called Seoul rise to a high position and compete with championship teams. It’s something I’ve focused on since I came here.”
I roamed the ground to my heart’s content. In other words, the sadness of not even entering the entry was shaken off. Hwang Eui-jo said, “I think players are happiest when they are on the pitch. It was also the path I chose, but I won with the support of the fans. He smiled, saying, “I hope that the good energy will continue to the end.”