Foreign goalkeeper GK is not guaranteed a starting spot... Yongin starts Hwang Sung-min instead of Novo → Coach Choi Yoon-kyun: "We will foster competition" [Yongin on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Even as a foreign goalkeeper, one cannot rest assured of securing a starting position.

YonginFC will host Chungnam Asan at Yongin Mir Stadium on the 24th in the 13th round of the Hana Bank K League 2 2026. Recently, Yongin has maintained a strong momentum with one win and one draw in their last two matches. In both of those previous games, they scored in stoppage time of the second half to secure points. They now aim to go unbeaten in three consecutive matches.

However, conceding many goals remains a concern. In particular, during the recent away match against Seoul I-land, they led 2-1 thanks to a goal by Seok Hyun-jun in the third minute of stoppage time in the second half, seemingly on the verge of victory, but immediately conceded an equalizer.

Consequently, Choi Yoon-kyun, the YonginFC coach, made a change for the match against Chungnam Asan. Instead of starting goalkeeper Novo, he sent Hwang Sung-min to guard the goal. Before the match, Coach Choi stated, "It wasn't solely Novo's fault, but he did concede two goals (in the match against I-land). Hwang Sung-min is also a competitive player. The players themselves may not realize it, but we are trying to create an invisible competition."

Coach Choi continued, "While the number one goalkeeper is Novo, Hwang Sung-min did not play a single match while at Incheon United (his previous club), yet his training performance and match play have not declined. He is showing good form."

Regarding the comparison between Novo and Hwang Sung-min, he explained that the difference is "subtle" and added, "We intend to deploy Hwang Sung-min in competitive situations."

Novo, who holds Portuguese nationality, is the first goalkeeper to enter the K League stage since the ban on signing foreign goalkeepers was lifted. He joined Yongin in January. Previously, he gained experience in various leagues, including Romania and Saudi Arabia. His excellent physical condition, standing at 192cm, is also a plus factor.

However, his performance in the K League has been somewhat lacking. He has appeared in six K League 2 matches this year, conceding 13 goals.

Hwang Sung-min, who has built his professional career since 2013, has played for several teams but, excluding his early career, has mostly remained a backup member. He played for FC Seoul from 2022 to 2024. He moved through Incheon last season and joined Yongin this season. He has already appeared in five league matches, conceding six goals. If Hwang Sung-min continues to show stable form, the goalkeeper competition at Yongin is expected to become even fiercer.

Meanwhile, on this day, Yongin adopted a 3-4-3 formation. Lee Seung-jun, Choi Chi-woong, and Gabriel were deployed as the three forwards. Kim Han-gil, Kim Han-seo, Choi Young-jun, and Cha Seung-hyun lined up in midfield, while Im Chae-min, Kwak Yun-ho, and Kim Hyun-jun formed the three-man backline. Hwang Sung-min guarded the goal.

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*This content was translated by AI.