'Sent to Australia Without the Starters' Seoul, Manager Kim Ki-dong: "Youngsters, Prove Your Worth"... Jung Hyeon-woo Responds, "I Will Show Results"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

FC Seoul will field a large number of rookie-level players in its away match in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) as it aims for an early K League 1 title. Manager Kim Ki-dong (55) instructed the selected players to demonstrate their abilities.

Seoul will face Melbourne Victory FC on the 14th (Korean time) at Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, in the second match of Group E in the group stage of the 2026-2027 ACL2 season.

With a K League 1 title for the first time in 10 years within reach, Seoul kept its key players in Korea to prepare for the Kim Cheon (SVP) match on the 18th. The away roster for Australia was minimized to 20 players, including rookie Jung Hyeon-woo.

According to the Korea Professional Football League, Manager Kim Ki-dong said at a pre-match press conference on the 13th, "The young players must show competitiveness that surpasses that of the current starters." He added, "It should not end as mere experience. Pour out everything you have and clearly prove your abilities to the fans and to me."

Regarding the defeat in the first match against Persik Kediri (0-1), Manager Kim said, "I was disappointed that the young players failed to show competitiveness," while adding, "I believe they will show better form going forward."

Describing the opponent Melbourne as "a team that plays a bold style of football," he assessed, "We will respond well by adapting to the opponent's characteristics." Addressing concerns about fatigue from the long-distance away trip, he drew a line, saying, "Physical fatigue cannot be an excuse. Being mentally prepared is the attitude of a professional."

Jung Hyeon-woo, who attended as Seon Su (CEO), stated, "In the previous first match, I was nervous and could not fully show my true form," and vowed, "This time, we will become one with our teammates and prove it with results."

He cited match sharpness as an advantage over the opponent. Jung Hyeon-woo said, "As we are near the end of the season, we are ahead of Melbourne in terms of physical condition and match sharpness," and resolved, "We will pour out everything on the pitch to repay the effort of the long journey with results."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original