'K-Olise' International Youth Cup Golden Boot Winner An Je-min: "I Want to Debut in the Pro League and Reach the National Team, Just Like My Senior (Son) Jeong-beom" [On-site in Incheon]

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Striker An Je-min (Osan High School), who scored six goals during the tournament to lead FC Seoul's Under-17 (U17) team to victory, was named the tournament's top scorer, signaling the emergence of a next-generation elite winger. Citing Bayern Munich's star winger Michael Olise as his role model and dreaming of becoming the "K-Olise," he expressed ambitious goals for the professional league and the national team after experiencing the intense physicality and pressure of the global stage, showing further growth.

The Seoul U17 team defeated the Gwangju FC U17 team 4-1 in the final of the K League International Youth Cup Incheon 2026, held on the 30th at the Namdong Asiad Rugby Stadium in Incheon, to claim their first title in the tournament.

During this tournament, Seoul scored a total of 18 goals while advancing through the group stage and the final. At the center of that offensive surge was No. 14 An Je-min, who netted six goals in the group stage alone to lead the attack.

Speaking to reporters after the match, An Je-min said, "The team's atmosphere had been somewhat low due to a losing streak in the league before the tournament, but we came together as one team and executed the tactics requested by our coach on the field, which allowed us to win the championship." He added, "I believe this victory will help us regain confidence in the league and maintain good momentum."

The experience of competing against renowned youth teams from Europe and Asia became a significant asset. He reflected, "The opposing foreign teams had superior and strong physicality, but by executing the build-up play and tactics we learned in training, we were able to break through effectively, leading to goals and victories." He noted, "Possessing the ball under the opponent's intense physicality and pressure, then quickly pressing to win it back, worked very well for us."

Recently seeing his senior at Osan High School, Son Jeong-beom, who is performing brilliantly in the first division, earn a call-up to the national team served as a major source of motivation. An Je-min vowed, "I want to debut in the professional league soon, just like my senior Jeong-beom, and ultimately make it to the national team."

He named Olise, who plays for Munich, as his role model. An Je-min, who even imitates Olise's signature celebration, smiled and said, "I most want to emulate Olise's dazzling dribbling, sharp shooting, and movements that disrupt the game's tempo." He added, "I prefer the sharp curled shots I attempt by cutting in from the wing toward the center, so I consistently watch and study Son Heung-min's play as well."

Citing speed and aggressive one-on-one dribbling as his greatest weapons, he roamed the pitch based on the strong trust of his coaches. An Je-min stated, "Our coach instructed me to dribble confidently in one-on-one situations, even if I lose the ball, which allowed me to attempt them more boldly." He shared, "I train every day to adapt to the fast tempo and pressure of the professional league, rather than settling for the pace of the high school stage."

An Je-min, who started playing soccer as a hobby in first grade of elementary school before receiving scout offers and following the elite path, is now aiming for an even higher stage. He firmly stated, "I will prepare well during my remaining time in high school to enter the professional league as soon as possible, secure a solid position there, and become an excellent player who scores many goals."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original