KLU Monthly Awards - September

With K League 1 in the latter stages of one of the more closely contested seasons in recent memory, Football Radar's Alex Lee is back with his Player, Young Player, and Manager of the Month for September.
Player of the Month

Stefan Mugoša - Incheon United FC

As the season enters its final stages, Stefan Mugosa has yet again come to Incheon’s rescue. Collecting six goals and one assist in September, Mugosa has turned losses into draws, securing vital points for his team in their relegation fight. The Montenegrin international is widely considered one of the best strikers in the league, but his loyalty for the club and fans has kept him in the team who are currently second last in the league. Having accumulated 13 goals this season, Mugosa is third in the scoring chart and three goals behind joint top-scorers Taggart and Junior. With the relegation battle expected to go down to the wire, Incheon fans will be looking to Mugosa for the goals that will guarantee them survival.

Shortlist

Júnior Negrão (Ulsan Hyundai FC)

Stanislav Iljutcenko (Pohang Steelers)

Young Player of the Month 

Jeong Tae-wook - Daegu FC

The Young Player of the Month award was a tight contest between two Daegu youngsters. In the end, the award went to centre-back Jeong Tae-wook for his role and responsibility in the team. After key defender Hong Jung-woon sustained a long-term injury, Daegu struggled at first, letting in sloppy goals and dropping points too easily. Jeong, who joined Daegu at the start of the year from the Jeju reserves, initially faced difficulties burdened by his broken nose as well as scoring that own goal which knocked Daegu out of the ACL. However, as the season went on, Jeong Tae-wook matured as a player, becoming the heart of Daegu’s back three. Along with his menacing physique, Jeong has the technical ability to keep the ball under control, which allows Daegu to play out from the back. Despite being just 22 years of age, Jeong is a leader in the squad and has the potential to become a star player for Daegu.

Shortlist

Jung Seung-won (Daegu FC)

Kim Jun-beom (Gyeongnam FC)

Manager of the Month 

Kim Gi-dong - Pohang Steelers

Pohang are in tremendous form under manager Kim Gi-dong with six wins from their last seven games. Their catalyst for success has been consistency in their lineup and style of football. Attacking talents of Wanderson and Iljutcenko have provided goals that secured points for the team, whereas loan signing Choi Young-jun and veteran centre-back Kim Gwang-seok have created a compact structure in midfield and defence to keep out opposition players. Having won three games and drawn one in September, Pohang managed to secure a place in the top half for the split. They are now just six points off an ACL qualification spot and two points behind fourth place Daegu, who could also qualify for ACL if Suwon fail to win the FA Cup. Therefore, as the season approaches its end, Kim Gi-dong and his team will continue to fight with the ambition of playing in ACL next year.

Shortlist

André (Daegu FC)
Yoo Sang-chul (Incheon United FC)