Bruno Mota living the dream after swapping Cheonan for Anyang

Strikers from K League 2 don't always make the leap to the first division, but new Anyang hero Bruno Mota has emphatically dispelled any doubts about his ability. So good has been the Brazilian's form, Mota will wear Number 9 when Team K League takes on Newcastle United in Suwon next Wednesday.

I came at the exact right time to interview Bruno Mota. Often Anyang's match winner, the forward is normally pounced upon by journalists in the mixed zone. He understands English, and can speak well but, naturally, he prefers to respond in Portuguese. When I went to meet him following Anyang's brilliant display against Daegu FC, in which he recorded his 10th goal of the year, Mota had just been confirmed in Team K League's squad for next week's showpiece friendly with Newcastle United.

[READ: Full 2025 Team K League Squad Announced]

The media center was packed so I thought the assembled press would be hoping to get some quotes from Mota. However, luckily for me, Kwon Kyung-won made his debut for Anyang. The 33-year-old defender represented Korea 34 times and sitting at home are the two medals he received for winning K League 1 with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. When the media officer appeared to ask who we want, my eyes lit up as one by one, the local press uttered the name Kwon Kyung-won. I was granted the only interview I wanted. Bruno Rodrigues Mota, Anyang's 29-year-old striker in the form of his career.

Mota spent two-and-a-half seasons toiling away at Cheonan City FC. It is difficult to imagine, but the Brazilian joined the club during their K3 adventures, when they battled without much success in the semi-pro divisions of lower league Korea. Following his first campaign there, the club turned fully professional and applied for K League membership. This is becoming very popular in Korea now.

His two goals and two assists in 12 appearances was enough to land a contract renewal when the club went up. In 2023, he notched 10 goals in a full season but it wasn't enough to save Cheonan from bottom spot in their debut year, albeit without relegation. The next year was even better. Mota top-scored in the entire division with 16, and chipped in with five assists. He was somehow overlooked for league MVP (that award went to future teammate Matheus Oliveira) but, on the bright-side, Cheonan would go on to finish well clear of bottom spot.

[READ: Daegu on the brink after trashing in Anyang]

During the first half of the season, he built up a great relationship with fellow Brazilian Paulinho. But when his friend and teammate moved to Suwon Bluewings, Mota must have wondered how he was still a Cheonan player. I saw him in the flesh numerous times. He was devastating against Suwon in Big Bird over two matches. His opposite number, Fejsal Mulić, was struggling to find the net so Mota looked like a perfect Suwon signing. Especially since Paulinho had already moved there.

Mota's patience would eventually be rewarded with a transfer to promoted FC Anyang. The Violets won K League 2 despite playing half the season without a recognized striker. Danrlei was forced to return home, injured, in July, prompting the leaders to sign another Brazilian, Nicolas. The big striker failed to settle. Incredibly, he picked up more red cards (1) than goals (0) during his nine match spell.

Bruno Mota celebrates Anyang's fourth goal against Daegu.

Bruno Mota was the perfect fit. The move has been great for both parties. If Anyang can keep hold of Mota for a few more seasons, he'll go down in history as a club icon. He scored a 92nd minute winner on his debut against champions, Ulsan HD, on the road. He claimed goal number 10 in 16 appearances off the bench against Daegu FC on Tuesday.

[READ: Astonishing Anyang stun Munsu with late winner]

"Today's match (versus Daegu) was very important for us because of what happened in Jeju (Anyang lost 2-0). We got the three points and now we feel very happy. We have to keep trying to get three points in every match." Anyang had raced into a 2-0 before Daegu were down to 10 men. After that, the result was never in question. The four goals will help the goals scored column and the three points lifted Anyang back above Jeju into 9th.

Suffice to say, Mota is loving his time in Anyang. After scoring the fourth goal, he raised both arms in the air and performed a heart for the Anyang faithful. Mota didn't need to have any of my questions translated, but when I asked him if he's happy wearing purple, he spoke in English. "Yes, yes. I am very happy here in Anyang," he confirmed with a broad smile. "I will continue to score and help Anyang to win games. I am very happy with the fans, the team, the staff, and all the coaches. So, yeah, very happy."

Next week, a personal highlight awaits. English giants Newcastle United, fresh from Champions League qualification and a League Cup success, visit Suwon to face Team K League. Mota will be there. "When I heard the news that I would be playing for Team K League, and that I would wear number nine, I was so delighted. I would love to score a goal for Team K League. But the most important thing for me is the team will have lots of players from all teams in K League. That is very interesting for me. I will try hard to show them my quality."

During Tuesday's demolition, it was hard not to have some sympathy for Daegu captain Cesinha. Nothing of note happened without Cesinha's fingerprints all over it. He was responsible for the team's only moments of promise, and he is the primary set piece taker. The responsibility for Daegu's survival rests on his shoulders. 36 at the end of this season, Cesinha was an obvious pick for anther Team K League selection.

His compatriot Mota praised Cesinha before making his way home.

"I think Cesinha is a legend. He is one of the most historically important players in K League. It will be an honor to play together with Cesinha. I will try to help Cesinha in the match and I hope Cesinha can help me, too. I will be very happy to play with Cesinha."

[READ: Suwon FC's Andrigo is delighted to just get an opportunity]

Before all that, Anyang have a seismic weekend meeting with Suwon FC at Castle Park. Suwon were favorites for the drop but after swapping best player Anderson for FC Seoul's Willyan and Lee Si-yong, plus Andrigo (formerly of Anyang) arriving from Jeonbuk, the squad suddenly looks much healthier. Suwon came from behind to beat Gwangju 2-1 last Friday, and as Anyang were running rings around Daegu, Suwon were smashing Pohang Steelers 5-1 on the road.

"We are playing well but as you know, we are a little near the bottom of the table. We hope we can keep fighting over the other teams at the bottom. We will try to keep moving up the table."

Team K League Final Squad

FW: Bruno Mota (Anyang), Cesinha (Daegu), Jeon Jin-woo (Jeonbuk), Jasir Asani (Gwangju), Lee Dong-gyeong (Gimcheon).

MF: Kim Dong-hyun (Gangwon), Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk), Luan Dias (Suwon FC), Darijan Bojanic (Ulsan), Oberdan (Pohang), Lee Chang-min (Jeju), Hwang Do-yoon (Seoul).

DF: Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon), Kim Young-gwon (Ulsan), Park Jin-seop (Jeonbuk), Byun Jun-soo (Gwangju), Anton Kryvotsyuk (Daejeon), Lee Tae-seok (Pohang), Caio Marcelo (Daegu), Han Hyeon-seo (Pohang).

GK: Kim Kyeong-min (Gwangju), Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan).