Played not a single minute in the four-match international window… Kim Gun-hee, who even coach Yoon Jeong-hwan found regrettable, turned disappointment into "motivation" [On-site in Incheon]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

It was on the 14th of last month. Robert Moreno (Spain), the interim head coach of the South Korean men's national football team, called up an impressive 30 players for the September and October international friendly matches. Unlike in previous years, the international schedule consisted of four matches rather than two, leading to a larger call-up list. With four games on the agenda, expectations were high that various players would be given opportunities to prove themselves.

There were also "surprise selections." Although not deeply familiar with Korean football, Coach Moreno stated, "I started by analyzing 1,700 Korean players," and bestowed the honor of their first national team call-up on three players, including Kim Min-su (Rangers) and Park Tae-jun (Kim Cheon (SVP)). As these were players personally selected by Coach Moreno, attention was focused on how he would utilize them.

Kim Gun-hee (24, Incheon United), a center back born in 2002, was also one of the recipients of Coach Moreno's "surprise choice." Having served as a key center back for Incheon, he earned a spot on the senior national team. Attention was concentrated on what kind of competitiveness he would display among formidable European-based center backs such as Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and Lee Han-beom (Club Brugge). Kim Tae-hyun (Kashima Antlers) and Cho Wi-je (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) were also competitors for the position.

Zero minutes across four matches. Regrettably, Kim Gun-hee was not granted even one minute of playing time. Among the 28th players who remained with the squad until the end—excluding two players who withdrew due to injury—Kim Gun-hee was the only one who did not play a single minute. Until the final match of the four-game series against Uzbekistan on the 6th, only Kim Gun-hee and goalkeeper Gu Seong-yun (FC Seoul) had not received an opportunity to play. However, Gu Seong-yun managed to step onto the pitch briefly during an unusual in-game goalkeeper substitution. This left Kim Gun-hee as the sole player who did not play a single minute.

Yoon Jeong-hwan, head coach of Incheon United, could not hide his disappointment that his player returned from the national team camp without having played in any match. Speaking to reporters ahead of the match against Pohang Steelers on the 9th at the Incheon Football Stadium, Coach Yoon said, "Even the goalkeepers got playing time, but only (Kim) Gun-hee did not play. As a fellow coach, I understand the situation, but it was a bit regretful that 'only one player did not step onto the pitch' during four matches." He added, "If he brought them along to observe various players for the future of Korean football, I wonder if he could have given them at least a little opportunity."

Coach Yoon continued, "That way, even if a player is later left out of the national team, they can accept it. If they are selected again in the future, that is one thing, but if they are dropped, wouldn't it be too disappointing? It was regretful to see those aspects." He added, "(For Kim Gun-hee) since it was his first time on the senior national team, I only told him that 'he needs to perform better to get an opportunity.' He is not the type to show it openly, but deep down, he must have wanted to play."

In the K League matches resumed after the international break, Kim Gun-hee started "as if to prove a point" and guarded Incheon's back line for all 90 minutes. Incheon took an early lead by scoring three goals in the first half alone, and in the second half, the defensive unit, centered around Kim Gun-hee, maintained solid focus to secure a decisive 3-0 victory. Coach Yoon praised the performance, stating, "We showed a level of play that left the opponent unable to do anything." Kim Gun-hee was at the center of that performance.

He appeared to use the disappointment of not playing in Kim Geon-hui-neun (CEO) team matches as "motivation." Speaking to reporters, he said, "It was an honorable position, and there were many players I could learn from, so it was a wonderful time. It was truly a very helpful period." He added, "I feel motivated, and my goals seem to have risen to another level. I do not mind not making my (international) debut. It was a great experience."

He smiled while saying, "Of course, when we were winning, I had the expectation inside that 'maybe they would let me play for at least a little bit.'" He added, "There was no feeling of being down or discouraged because I did not play. On the contrary, because I did not make my debut, I feel even more passionate inside. I also felt many of my shortcomings. I think I realized a lot about which areas need improvement and in what direction I should develop, so it was a grateful experience."

According to Kim Gun-hee, simply training alongside core national team veterans was already significant. He added, "The attitude (Kim) Min-jae brings to training, his approach to matches, and the way he plays were definitely different when seen in person compared to watching on TV. There was a lot to learn from players in the same position."

He did not directly hear an explanation regarding the background of why he did not play a single minute in the four-match series. Instead, he turned it into strong personal motivation. Kim Gun-hee said firmly, "(The coach) did not speak with me separately, but after everything was over, he made a gesture that felt like comforting me. I believe my heart was reached by that alone." He added, "If I show good form and further development with my club team, I hope they will call me up again. So I am trying to work harder and become a developing player."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original