Star News Ulsan = Reporter Park Geon-do | 2024.03.02 06:30
Joo Min-gyu. /Photo provided by Korea Professional Football League Joo Min-gyu (No. 18) entering the stadium for the opening match of Hana Bank 2024 K League 1 on the 1st. /Photo courtesy of Korea Professional Football League Joo Min-gyu (34), who has been rumored to be joining the Korean national football team for quite some time, has spoken out again. Ulsan HD met Pohang Steelers in the opening game of Hana Bank K-League 1 2024 at Ulsan Munsu Soccer Stadium on the afternoon of the 1st. In the mixed zone after the game, Joo Min-gyu met with reporters and predicted the possibility of being selected for the national team. Joo Min-gyu said, “I have 0.1% more expectations because the coach has changed. However, it is important to play the role I can in Ulsan. It is a matter to think about after (selection to the national team).” Ulsan won 1-0 in the opening match of K League 1 against Pohang.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) chose interim coach Hwang Seon-hong (56) after dismissing Jurgen Klinsmann (60). Coach Hwang Seon-hong will lead Korea in two matches against Thailand in March at the 2026 FIFA North, Central and American World Cup. Coach Jeong Jo-guk (40) assists coach Hwang Seon-hong. Coach Jeong Jo-guk and head coach Michael Kim (51) and other coaching staff visited Munsu Soccer Stadium on the 1st to watch the game between Ulsan and Pohang.
Joo Min-gyu. /Photo provided by Joo Min-gyu, who showed off his formidable scoring ability in the K-League 1 of the Korea Professional Football League, has not yet been called up to the A national team. The same was true under both Klinsmann and Paulo Bento (55). When coach Hwang Seon-hong took over, Joo Min-gyu said, “From past videos, I had no expectations of being selected for the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup national team. It might have been different if we had had a test before then,” and added, “Coach Jeong Jo-guk deliberately did not contact me. “I didn’t. It’s very burdensome. Rather than not contacting me, I think it’s an atmosphere where I can’t do anything. First of all, I think it’s right for me to do my job in Ulsan,” he said. On this day, the official number of spectators in the Pohang and East Coast derby was 28,683. Fans of both Ulsan and Pohang teams cheered passionately from before the game until the end. The atmosphere at Ulsan Stadium is still warm as they attempt to not only win 2 games in a row in the K League but also win 3 games in a row. Joo Min-gyu said, “Players from other teams will probably be jealous as well. This place has its own culture and atmosphere. Once you enter Munsu Stadium, you won’t be able to easily win and leave. Just like the fans, the players are determined not to give up points easily in Munsu. “It will be difficult if you enter the tiger’s den,” he said emphatically.
Last season, Joo Min-gyu scored 17 goals and became the top scorer in K League 1. Coach Hong Myung-bo (55) praised Joo Min-gyu this season, saying, “He has taken good care of his body. His body fat level has also improved, so his activity level has increased significantly.” Joo Min-gyu, who played as a midfielder in the past and has improved noticeably after changing his position to a striker, said, “Every season after transforming into a striker is a burden. It is the fate of a striker.” He added, “It would be great if the team scored a lot of goals every season and achieved good results. “But it is true that there is a personal burden. I think I will continue to feel the burden until retirement.”
Ataru (left) and Joo Min-gyu after the game against Pohang Steelers on the 1st. /Photo provided by Korea Professional Football League
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2024-03-01 21:30:00
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