Seongnam FC conducted an open test to find a new player last December. In an open test involving 350 people, Seongnam coach Lee Ki-hyung selected only two players. They are Kim Jin-rae, a defender from Suwon Samsung, and Kim Won-joon, a striker who played for Cheongju FC in the K3 League.
Kim Won-joon wore the Seongnam uniform through a tremendous competition rate of 175:1. Seongnam is his first professional team. He said, “I didn’t know it would happen. I heard that there was an open test and I did my best without regrets, but I was lucky. The coach looked good on me and I came to the team. I did the test twice, but it wasn’t too cold in the first round. During the final test of the car, I played in a state where it was too cold and down to minus 10 degrees.
He also said, “The style of football that the coach likes is one that presses quickly, is active from the front, and runs a lot. My strengths are reckless breakthrough, crossing, and movement from the side. I wonder if I showed it well in the test.” He talked about his own strengths that appealed to him.
b11: How do you feel about surpassing the 175:1 competition rate?
“I thought, ‘Have so many come?’. Since 400 people came as representatives after hard work, I don’t want to be suspicious of them. I think I have to do well and show it this year.”
b11: I think you got a lot of congratulations.
“When I got accepted, my friends said, ‘It seems like everyone is rewarded for your hard work.’ . My parents told me, ‘As much as I overcame all of that and became a pro, I have to do better because it’s just the beginning.'”
b11: How was the training camp in Thailand?
“Exercise was very difficult. It was the most difficult winter season while playing soccer. I went to overseas training for the first time. I came in, and while I was in Thailand, I went through intense training and I think my body was built. I also did team tactical training and learned how to move and play according to the team tactics this year.”
b11: What was good about it.
“The training was tough, but the weather was nice. You can use the swimming pool as you like, and it’s winter in Korea, but the weather in Thailand is nice. 먹튀검증 I ate a lot of fruit. When I came to Korea, it was so cold that some players caught a cold.”
b11: Did you have a special relationship with Seongnam?
“Seongnam is close to home. Player Song Si-woo, who came to Seongnam in 2020, is a junior in high school. Jae-woo Kang was also his best friend in high school. I think it’s a pity. I came to watch the game twice. I didn’t know a single player, but the goalkeeper (Jeong) Myeong-je, who got to know Jae-woo, took care of him a lot in the beginning. Now I’m close with my brothers and sisters.”
b11: They say that the team has a lot of expectations. What do you order the most?
“Once you catch the ball, he tells you to play confidently and recklessly, and not back away, save the ball and move forward. It is a part that is ordered to all players. .”
b11: Coach Lee Ki-hyeong tends to change positions a lot. Has he tried other positions?
“I’m a wing forward, but sometimes I play as a center forward. I saw two tops, but I didn’t see one tops.