"I'm not sure if I should say this..." Coach Jeong Jeong-yong, who faced Manchester City, singled out "just one player" for high praise: "A player who should go to a better team." [Sangam Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

The level of a world-class powerhouse was indeed exceptional. Even Coach Jeong Jeong-yong, whose Team K League faced Manchester City, expressed his awe.

Team K League, led by Coach Jeong Jeong-yong, lost 1-3 to Manchester City in the first match of the 2026 Coupang Play Series held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 5th at 8 p.m.

Although they did not secure a victory, Kim Dae-won's equalizing goal in the 12th minute of the first half brought joy to K League fans who had come to the stadium.

In the post-match press conference, Coach Jeong Jeong-yong said, "As the coach of Team K League, I am happy to face such a great team," and added, "I was glad that we could bring some joy to the fans with our goals, and I thank the players for fulfilling their respective roles."

On this day, Manchester City deployed top-tier players including Phil Foden, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Rúben Dias, showcasing overwhelming skill. When asked about his impressions of facing them, Coach Jeong Jeong-yong remarked, "Both individual skills and physical abilities were outstanding. Not only I but also the players must have experienced it firsthand on the field." He continued, "I understand that Enzo Maresca, the new manager, is in the process of rebuilding the team, and I felt they are being refined very well. They are clearly a team capable of making a significant difference."

Although it was an event-heavy match, its experiential value was significant. Coach Jeong Jeong-yong shared, "After the game, the players also mentioned they felt a lot. We don't know when such an opportunity will come again, but if we get another chance next time, I hope to prepare with more composure and face it."

When asked which player from Team K League's squad had the most impressive performance on this day, he pointed out goalkeeper Gu Seong-yun (FC Seoul), who was substituted in during the second half and successfully halted Manchester City's relentless attacks. Gu Seong-yun delivered a series of crucial saves near the end of the second half, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Coach Jeong Jeong-yong smiled, saying, "I'm not sure if I should say this, but seeing Gu Seong-yun made me think he might be better suited for an even higher level."

He also expressed his views on the match conditions under scorching heat and high humidity. Coach Jeong Jeong-yong stated, "The humidity was extremely high. Even I, who wasn't running but just standing, had my clothes completely soaked." He added, "I understand that K League match times have been adjusted from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and for the sake of players' stamina and health, I hope future matches will be scheduled with careful consideration of the weather."

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*This content was translated by AI.