Interview: "We Want to Repay the Fans with ACL", Daegu FC's Shin Changmoo

Daegu FC's Shin Changmoo announced his return from military duty with Sangju Sangmu by scoring the winner in stoppage time against Seongnam ahead of the start of FINAL A in K League. K League United Daegu FC columnist Muyeol Jung sat down with the club's youth product to listen to his time in the military and his plans for Daegu FC for the remainder of the season.


Player profile

-Full Name: Shin Changmoo
-Date of Birth: 17th Sep, 1992
-Height/Weight: 170cm/67kg
-Position: Winger
-Number: 94

Career History

-1994~2004: Shinam Elementary School (Daegu)
-2005~2007: John Paul College (Australia)
-2008~2010: Hyunpoong High School (Daegu FC U18 team)
-2011: Wooseok University
-2014~2017: Daegu FC
-2018~Sep 2019: Sangju Sangmu (39 games 4 goals in all competitions)
-Sep 2019: Daegu FC


Muyeol Jung (MJ): Welcome back to Daegu FC again. How are you feeling?

Changmoo Shin (CS): Well, I was away for a while, the team has changed in many ways from a massive fan base to the new club house, and the new stadium. I am still settling into the new environments with a lot of young players, but I am feeling much better.


MJ: Last May, as yourself in a Sangju shirt, you visited DGB Daegu Bank Park and experienced it. It must have been awkward moment for you seeing old, familiar faces in the new stadium. How did you feel on that day?

CS: Yeah, it was the first visit to the new stadium, and I felt like I was back home even though I was in a Sangju shirt because a lot of Daegu fans gave me warm welcome and supports after the game. I wished I could come back to play for Daegu as early as possible. On that day, I really wanted to show what I can provide on the pitch in front of the home fans, but I didn't earn much time as substitute, which remains a bit of shame for me.

Shin Changmoo (middle) was the strong substitute for Kim Taewan's side, helping them to reach the semi final of FA Cup as well as to stay in the middle table of the K League

MJ: Your goals in last 16, and quarter final of FA Cup sent Sangju Sangmu to the semi finals of the competition, but unfortunately, you had to leave the military side ONE DAY before the FA Cup Semi-finals. Did you think you wished to play that game in a big stage?

CS: Well, I would say "We" reached the semi finals, rather than I sent the team to that stage. Of course, I remember myself thinking of how it would feel like playing in the finals of FA Cup as Daegu FC did last year. Back then, Sangju manager Kim Taewhan also made jokes to us saying "You are able to stay here longer and play a few more games including FA Cup if you wanted". But now I am back to Daegu FC and will do my best to contribute to my current club at an important time.

MJ: Sangju boss Kim Taehwan publicly praised you and your teammates such as, Kim Minwoo and Yoon Bitgaram as the most exemplary he had ever seen at Sangju. If you look back on your time in the military side, how did it make impact on you?

CS: Well, I guess the boss probably said that complimentary words because the senior players have individually stronger characters, which made us look relatively exemplary and good to the others.

I spent my entire professional career in Daegu FC until I joined the military club where I was able to play with new players that I wouldn't have had a chance to play together with otherwise. Playing with quality players on a daily basis certainly helped me develop much more in terms of individual skills as well as strategical aspects.

Also, it was a chance for me to take a reality check where I am as footballer in the pecking order and to hone the skills from watching them closely. In terms of mentality, I felt much stronger throughout the period. When I entered the military, I needed to adapt to my new environment swiftly and easily, but I learnt how to come to terms with the situations where I mentally feel stifled or stressful.

The return of Son of Daegu gives more attacking options to Andre's side

MJ: Final question. What's your goal for Daegu FC this season?

CS: At the moment, I mainly want to focus on team's goal rather than selfishly setting personal goals as it is paramount moment for the club. We have already achieved the top six in the league, and now we want to challenge for an ACL spot for next season. I think this would be the only way to repay the fans for the tremendous they gave us.