"I want to finish by lifting the trophy. Personally, I hope that I will make a lot of contributions next year and achieve a successful finish." Ki Sung-yueng, who advanced to the Final A for the first time since returning to FC Seoul and finished in Top 4, expressed his desire to win next year.
FC Seoul defeated Gimcheon Sangmu 3-1 in the 38th round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2024 held at Gimcheon Stadium at 2 p.m. on the 23rd. With the victory, Seoul secured the fourth place in the league with 58 points, and is very close to qualifying for the Asian Champions League.
The match was Ki Sung-yueng's return to the starting lineup. Ki Sung-yueng showed constant class by wearing the captain's armband under the coach Kim Ki-dong this season. He showed such good performance that he was named "Seoul March Player" by playing full-time in every game in the early part of the season, but he was absent for a long time due to injury after the match against Suwon FC in the 18th round. With one more injury during the rehabilitation period, it took time for him to return and returned after about four months against Suwon FC in the 35th round.
He played as a substitute in the second half of the previous three games, and returned as a starter in the game against Gimcheon. Ki stayed on the ground until he was substituted in the 32nd minute of the second half, adding to the sense of stability in both offense and defense. Seoul, where Ki Sung-yueng defended the midfield, showed stellar performance by Cho Young-wook, who scored one goal and one assist, and Ronaldo scored a net goal in the second half, ending the game with a complete victory.
After the game, Ki Sung-yueng said, "I came back as a starter after a long time, but when I tried to do something, it ended. I had a long break due to injury, and after returning, I played four games and finished. I'm also sad that I felt like it ended while trying to get better. Still, I'm grateful that Seoul finished well, and it's good because the probability of going to the Asian Champions League has increased. I'm looking forward to the players being able to stand on that stage."
Ki has renewed his contract with Seoul ahead of this season. The contract period is two years. There is an option to extend the contract, but the basic contract is until 2025. As he is very close to heading to the Asian stage with his advance to Final A this season, he is looking forward to next season even more.
Ki said, "I look forward to next year more than this year. Personally, I hope to win a trophy next year. I don't have a trophy yet because I came to Seoul. I want to finish by lifting the trophy. Personally, I hope that I will contribute a lot next year to achieve a successful completion. I need to prepare well. I think it would be great if I win the trophy and finish it off."
[FC Seoul Captain Ki Sungyueng interview]
-How do you feel about returning to the starting lineup
I returned to the starting lineup after a long time, but it ended when I tried to do something. (Laughs) Due to injury, I had a long break, and after returning, I played four games and finished. I'm also sad because I felt like I was trying to get better. Still, I'm grateful that Seoul finished well, and it's good because the probability of going to the Asian Champions League has increased. I'm looking forward to the players being able to stand on that stage.
-It's my first time in Final A after returning to Seoul. Looking back on this season?
Thankfully, I'm grateful that I didn't have to fight in Final B this year. The coach, the coaching staff, and the players all worked hard. I'm especially grateful to the fans. Even though you must have been disappointed and disappointed in the past few years, you didn't give up on us and continued to support us. I was really grateful for that. The players also tried to repay the fans' support, and I felt many emotions to be able to challenge for the Asian stage in Final A after a long time.
-After the final match, I talked to director Kim Ki-dong while hugging him?
In fact, the coach worked really hard this season. There were many things this season. There were hard times, and there were good times. I am grateful that the coach came to FC Seoul and raised the team to Final A. I think you must have suffered a lot with the players and been under a lot of stress. It's not 100%, but I wanted to tell the coach that you worked hard because I could get the result I wanted.
-You worked with several directors, but what are the strengths of Kim Ki-dong?
He tried to communicate with the players in difficult times. He controlled the players rationally, not emotionally. It took a while to melt into the coach's tactics, but the players also seem to have done their best. I think these parts are well harmonized because the coach was grateful to the players, and the players also respect the coach. I think we have made good results this year.
-The best memory and the most grateful player
Cho Young-wook is the most grateful. I suffered a lot of ups and downs this year, and I was able to get an important victory in the final match because of the important goal. There were difficulties in the offensive part, and there were injuries. He's a precious player in Seoul, and I'm grateful that I was able to clear up the difficulties at the end. I'm actually grateful to all the players. The best time was when my team won five consecutive games. I didn't have one, but I think I was in a lot of mood then. I also gained confidence that I could do it. It was the best time then. 온라인바카라
-There is one year left on my contract. What are your goals for next season?
I don't know. I'm more looking forward to next year than this year, but personally, I hope to win a trophy next year. I don't have a trophy yet because I came to Seoul. I want to finish by lifting the trophy. Personally, I hope I will contribute a lot next year to achieve a successful completion. We have to prepare well. I think it would be great if we could win and finish the trophy.