'Retirement crisis' turned around by Seok Hyun-jun's multi-goal explosion, who overcame hardships to become the hero of Yongin's 'first-ever victory' [Yongin Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I even thought, 'Is this truly impossible?'"

Professional soccer K League 2 Yongin FC striker Seok Hyun-jun (35) trailed off. This was said during an interview with reporters after the home match against Gimhae FC at Yongin Mir Stadium on the 26th, which concluded the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 Round 9. On this day, Seok Hyun-jun scored his K League debut goal and added a multi-goal performance, becoming the key figure in the team's 4-1 decisive victory and their first-ever win. However, he admitted, "I wanted to score so badly, but I didn't actually think I would."

There was a reason. Until the match on this day, Seok Hyun-jun had played in six K League 2 matches (four as a starter) but managed to record not a single attacking point. Although he was a former national team striker with a long European career and many expectations were placed on him, adapting to the K League after overcoming a nearly four-year professional hiatus was not easy. In fact, the K League was the first stage Seok Hyun-jun had ever experienced since his professional debut. Choi Yun-kyeom, Yongin's head coach, noted, "Seok Hyun-jun was slow to adapt to the strong pressure and physical battles in K League 2."

Previously, Seok Hyun-jun ended his European career with Troyes (France) at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 season. Later, he was sentenced to six months in prison with a one-year suspended sentence for violating the Military Service Act, and after the sentence became final, he fulfilled his military service as a social service agent. During this period, he only played for Namyangju Citizen FC in the semi-professional K4 League (fourth division), and his professional career had been cut off since June 2022. In a situation truly described as a 'retirement crisis,' he received a love call from Yongin and restarted his professional career. For Seok Hyun-jun, who attended Baegam Middle School and Singal High School, Yongin held special significance as the place where his football career began. However, filling the four-year gap was not easy. His own reflection that he "didn't think he would score" was also due to his recent poor form.

That is why the multi-goal performance on this day was even more of a 'twist.' Playing as a forward, Seok Hyun-jun finally broke the net in the 17th minute of the first half. The process was impressive. Dropping deep near the halfway line, he dismantled the opponent's midfield through a one-two pass with Gabriel. After dribbling past defenders, he passed to Kim Min-woo, who cut inside from the left flank, and immediately surged toward the goal. Seok Hyun-jun then connected with Kim Min-woo's cross with a header, sending the ball into the net. Although he did not expect it himself, it was the moment he had longed for so desperately.

Once the silence was broken, his movements became much lighter. In the third minute of the second half, when the team was leading 3-0, he reaped the fruits once again. This time, as Kim Min-woo cut inside from the left flank, Seok Hyun-jun surged toward the goal and finished with a low cross in front of the net. After scoring his first goal and adding a multi-goal performance, he ran toward the Yongin supporters to celebrate, then embraced his teammates, including Kim Min-woo, sharing the joy. Seok Hyun-jun was substituted in the 35th minute of the second half while the team was leading 4-1. He displayed a remarkable performance, converting both of his two shots into goals, becoming the key figure in the team's first-ever victory.

After the match, Seok Hyun-jun said, "I didn't even think about returning to the professional stage, so I am grateful for this opportunity. Until now, issues with match tempo and physical condition were significant. I should have used my stamina to attack, but I wasted a lot of it trying to keep up with the tempo. So, for the past two weeks, I focused most on solving the physical problem. When I scored the first goal, I felt an indescribable emotion because it had been so long. I was grateful to my teammates, and it was a joy to repay the trust of the players, colleagues, the coach, and the coaches."

He continued, "Perhaps because I hadn't played for a long time, I myself felt quite weak. I even thought, 'Is it truly impossible to make a comeback because of this long hiatus?' Still, I decided to believe until the end and tried desperately for those around me who believed in me. Fortunately, the teammates were very supportive and helped me, so I think I was able to score. It was a day filled with gratitude for everything."

The significance was even greater as the team also secured its first-ever victory by breaking the silence. Until the match on this day, Yongin had gone seven matches without a win, recording three draws and four losses. With Seok Hyun-jun's multi-goal performance leading the way, they defeated Gimhae 4-1 and finally achieved the long-awaited first victory. Seok Hyun-jun said, "Everyone desperately wanted the first victory. It was an important match. So, after winning, we celebrated as if we had won the championship and smiled happily. I felt the same way, and everyone must have gone through a lot of hardship and struggle. It seems like today's victory has washed all that away. Of course, the goal for the next match is not goals but victory. I will run a lot for the team's victory, and if I can score as well, that would be even better," he added with a smile.

Head coach Choi Yun-kyeom also could not hide his joy at securing the first victory along with Seok Hyun-jun's long-awaited performance. Coach Choi stated, "Until now, the quality of crosses and passes directed toward Seok Hyun-jun was lacking, but today, high-quality crosses were well delivered to his head and feet. (Seok) Hyun-jun also showed good decision-making. He must have been just as desperate as the rest of us." He further evaluated, "The players worked hard and brought good match content to a result. In particular, I think Seok Hyun-jun's two goals are a positive aspect."

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*This content was translated by AI.