*This content was translated by AI.
A dazzling revival goal by the South Korean national team striker. Hwang Hee-chan (30), who moved to Schalke 04 in Germany's Bundesliga, recorded a priceless assist immediately after being substituted into his first match since joining the club.
Schalke secured a decisive 3-1 victory in an away match against Union Berlin at Stadion An der Alten Försterei in Berlin, Germany, on the morning of the 12th (Korean time).
The hero who sealed the victory was Hwang Hee-chan. In the 35th minute of the second half, with Schalke leading 2-0, Hwang entered the field as a substitute for Junior Adamu, playing his Bundesliga return match and his debut for Schalke.
Schalke took control with Robin Gosens scoring the opening goal in the 25th minute of the first half and Adil Aouchiche adding another goal in the first minute of the second half. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Union Berlin's Tim Skarke scored a consolation goal, narrowing the gap to 2-1.
Amidst a tense crisis with relentless pressure from the opponent during a long 12 minutes of stoppage time, Hwang Hee-chan's footwork shone brightly.
In the 13th minute of stoppage time, in a counterattack situation, Hwang Hee-chan received the ball, made a bold run into space, and delivered a sharp pass to Maximilian Wöber, who was left unmarked. Wöber calmly finished with a left-footed shot, shaking the net and completing Hwang's first assist since joining the club. Immediately after entering the match, Hwang recorded an attacking point, perfectly leading his team to a 3-1 victory. Coincidentally, Jung Woo-young, who started as Union Berlin's starting winger on this day, was substituted out in the first minute of stoppage time.
Hwang Hee-chan's move to Schalke this summer came about dramatically. Although his former club Wolverhampton Wanderers was relegated to England's Championship (second division), they received numerous offers from top European leagues such as Spain's La Liga and France's Ligue 1. Rumors circulated about high-salary offers from the Brazilian league, Middle Eastern clubs, and even a return to the K-League, but Hwang prioritized consistent playing opportunities and the manager's firm trust above all else.
The person who won over Hwang Hee-chan was coach Miran Muslic. Coach Muslic repeatedly persuaded him via phone calls, stating, "We pursue direct and strong pressing football, and your talent fits perfectly." Muslic, who claimed to have been a long-time fan of Hwang since his time at Austria Salzburg, sincerely wooed the player, which became the decisive factor in Hwang's decision to join Schalke.
Wearing the number 7 jersey, Hwang Hee-chan joined Schalke on loan with a full transfer option worth 3 million euros (approximately 48 billion won). From his first training session, he has been shaping his body under the full command of coach Muslic. In this Berlin away match, his first opportunity to play, he ran for just over 13 minutes yet delivered a decisive assist, perfectly responding to the manager's complete trust. Hwang Hee-chan, who announced a fresh start with the promoted club Schalke, has signaled a dazzling revival on the big league stage based on this performance.
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*This content was translated by AI.
