Interview: Daegu FC 2019 Rookies

Daegu FC, spending a lot of money on raising young players since 2015, announced several signings of youth players who just took their first step into a professional football ahead of 2019 season. They might not have the chance to play with the first team straight away, but will be working hard in the hope of following the honourable footprints of Kim Dae-won and Jung Seung-won, who eventually became weapons in Andre’s artillery. Daegu FC correspondent Muyeol Jung sat down with the SKy Blues' 2019 intake for an exclusive interview.
(image by Daegu FC)

Hwang Yoo-seung

DF, Korea University, 175cm/72kg, DOB 1996.05.10


(image by Muyeol Jung)

MYJ: What made you decide to come to Daegu?

YSH: I do not know much about it, but I was told by my father that I had got an offer from Daegu by the end of last season.

MYJ: How are you feeling after your first preseason camp with the professional team?

YSH: Like what I felt in a transition from high school League to University League, I felt a much bigger difference between University League and professional football in terms of power, control, and passing. Personally, this was the time I realised that I was lacking in many aspects of my game.

MYJ: What do you think your strengths are?

YSH: I usually play on both flanks in midfield and defence. I am pretty confident with my work rate, and pace over short distances other than anything else.

MYJ: Preparing for this interview, I found out an article saying that you bagged your first goal a few weeks after you were sent off as substitute in University League opener. Could you tell me more about your debut goal and your time in university?

YSH: During my first two years with Korea University, I was not regular due to persistent injuries, but I managed to get some decent playing time in my third year. I still remember that moment and the feeling I had. I came on the pitch as substitute in the opener, but I was sent off in that match. Afterwards, I was very discouraged, but manager helped me a lot to restore my confidence through training and sone heart to heart conversations. I was glad that I lived up to his faith and expectation by scoring that goal.

MYJ: What is your goal this season?

YSH: Personally, I would like to make my debut for Daegu within this year, which will be hard but I will do my best.

Jeong Young-woong

MF, Chung-ang University, 174cm/69kg, DOB: 1997.04.23


(image by Muyeol Jung)

MYJ: What made you decide to come to Daegu?

YWJ: At the end of season, after Chung-ang university finished the runner up in the university tournament where I was awarded “2018 Best Player" in the tournament, the second top award following MVP, luckily I got an offer from Daegu.

MYJ: How are you feeling after your first preseason camp with the professional team?

YWJ: It was very good to have more systematically organised training sessions. Also, I think that I need to adapt myself to the faster tempo on the pitch.

MYJ: What do you think your strengths are in gaming of your playing?

YWJ: I usually play as a left midfielder, and I think I am capable of linking up and playing positive passes.

MYJ: What sort of advice did the university manager, Choi Deok-ju give you, the manager was in charge of Daegu in 2014 after his spell in Korea National Team as assistant coach with Choi Kang-hee?

YWJ: He told me that I would realise the difference between University League and professional football. He also stressed that I need to work hard, and be ready to fight for my place within the Daegu squad, a team whose game requires a lot of work rate and strong physicality.

MYJ: What is your goal this season?

YWJ: I want to adapt myself to professional football as quickly as possible, and I would like to be a key player that the team needs.

Song June-ho

DF, Chung-ang University, 184cm/72kg, DOB: 1997.12.16


(image by Muyeol Jung)

MYJ: What made you decide to come to Daegu?

JHS: Like Jeong Young-woong, I got an offer from Daegu after the final match in the tournament where I think I did not play well enough.

MYJ: How are you feeling after first preseason camp with the professional team?

JHS: I realised that tempo is very pacey, and I need to improve on more delicate skills.

MYJ: What do you think your strengths are in gaming of your playing?

JHS: My primary position is right wingback and I believe I am confident with my pace and dribbling down the wing but I do need to improve the defensive aspects of my game.

MYJ: What kind of advice did the university manager, Choi Deok-ju give you, the manager was in charge of Daegu in 2014 after his spell in Korea National Team as assistant coach with Choi Kang-hee?

JHS: He encouraged me to keep working hard as facilities and the setting at Daegu are getting better. Particularly, he stressed that I have to spend more time on improving on the weaknesses in my game, which is movement and positioning in transition from being in possession to being out of possession.

MYJ: What is your goal this season?

JHS: I want to play as much as possible, and ultimately, to break into the first team.

Go Tae-kyu

DF, Yongin University, 190cm/83kg, DOB: 1996.08.02


(image by Muyeol Jung)

MYJ: What made you decide to come to Daegu?

TKG: Last year, Yong-in University where I was playing at the time, took on Daegu FC in the fourth round of Korean FA Cup. After the first half, one of Andre’s backroom staff came and asked me a couple of questions with potential interest. Next, I signed a permanent contract with Daegu FC after I played a couple of games for Daegu in Reserve League as trialist.

MYJ: How are you feeling after first preseason camp with the professional team?

TKG: In terms of training sessions, most of drills are something similar to how I trained in University League, but at professional level it superior in terms of power, pace, and tempo.

MYJ: What do you think your strengths are?

TKG: As a tall centre back, I am praised for my strong heading, marking and passing ability with composure.

MYJ: There was an article from University League Journals claiming that you can be equally rated and compared to Korea international centre-back Kim Min-jae. What do you think of this verdict? 

TKG: I am very thankful for the verdict as he has been a key feature in Korea National Team in such a narrow time frame, even though he is the same age with me. On the other side, I need to make more effort to chase or overtake him. Sooner or later, he can be a teammate I might have to play with or someone I have to fight for a place.

MYJ: As the son of Ko Jeong-woon, former FC Anyang manager in 2018 and a former Korea international winger back in his time, what sort of advice did your father give to you before you came to Daegu?

TKG: My father did not give me much advice. He just simply said that I need to take a reality check from playing with others at a  professional level, then I will work much harder.

MYJ: What is your goal this season?

TKG: I am very grateful to be joining the developing team at Daegu FC with good facilities. Daegu have got many defenders who are older than me, but I could be the one who can try to create competition for places. My university team coach always stresses that it is very important to learn skills from copying and mimicking from others. I will do my best to play better on the pitch whilst learning from others.

Park Jae-kyung

DF, Haksung High School, 190cm/80kg, DOB: 2000.04.28


(image by Muyeol Jung)

MYJ: What made you decide to come to Daegu?

JKP: I thought that the earlier I become a pro, the better it is as pro is the ultimate goal for every footballer. And it was a true inspiration for me to watching younger Daegu players play in K League last year.

MYJ: How are you feeling after first preseason camp with the professional team?

JKP: I realised that there was such a bigger gap in power, pace and physicality.

MYJ: What do you think your strengths are in gaming of your playing?

JKP: I am good at heading and physical play.

MYJ: What is your goal in this season?

JKP: I would like to make my debut in 2019, and will be helping the team in anyway.

Jo Woo-hyun

DF, Cheonggu High School, 181cm/76kg, DOB: 2000.05.01


(image by Muyeol Jung)

MYJ: What made you decide to come to Daegu?

WHJ: I thought that to experience professional football is more essential than the University League.

MYJ: How are you feeling after first preseason camp with the professional team?

WHJ: There seems to be clear gap in skills. I realised the importance of individual training.

MYJ: What do you think your strengths are?

WHJ: I usually play as a centre back or defensive midfielder equipped with distribution, passing ability, and good vision.

MYJ: What is your goal for this season?

WHJ: I want to show off the best form that I can at Daegu, and want to keep my place in the squad.

Lee Hak-yoon

GK, Pohang Steelers U18, 189cm/68kg, DOB: 2000.03.09


(image by Muyeol Jung)

MYJ: What made you decide to come to Daegu?

HYL: I initially was hoping to enter a university team, but failed at the end of season. So, as a product of Pohang Steerlers Youth Academy myself, I inquired with the Steelers whether they would have any room for me. However, they have already completed their goalkeeper quota for this season, so I asked them to let me find another team. Afterwards, I signed with Daegu FC who were looking for a rookie goalkeeper.

MYJ: How are you feeling after first preseason camp with the professional team?

HYL: I think there are huge gaps compared to the High School League, University League and professional football. Particularly, as a goalkeeper, I was able to feel such a bold difference in power, and speed of shots and I so am making great efforts not to be left behind.

MYJ: What do you think your strengths?

HYL: My physicality is one of my strengths, for example, I have long arms and legs. Also, shot stopping ability and good reflexes are characteristics I am confident of. And I remember saving two to three penalties in penalty shootouts, so this is something I can boast of.

MYJ: As the fifth choice goalkeeper, it will be very difficult to break into the team so what is your goal this season?

HYL: I came and joined Daegu with so much difficulties on the way, and so I am grateful for this opportunity. As you said, the fifth choice goalkeeper would not have much chance to play for the time being, but on the other side, it is a good opportunity to learn from training with Korea international goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo and other great shot stoppers in the team. As time goes by, I want progress year by year and go from being the fifth choice to first choice one day.