‘Gums as strong as this’…the ‘Pohang Spirit’ that sustains Pohang, a city of tradition

The Pohang Steelers have not crumbled under the weight of injuries or a tight schedule. On the contrary, they are overcoming the challenges in front of them one by one with ‘gums this strong’.

Pohang won 2-0 away to Urawa Reds (Japan) at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, on Sept. 24 in the third match of Group J of the 2023-2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL). With the three wins, Pohang cruised to the top of the group.

The crisis that has overshadowed Pohang for the past several seasons was repeated this season. With a smaller budget than in the past, the depth was stretched even thinner, and injuries and transfers made it difficult to field a full squad. This is still the case with four games remaining in the K League 1 and the FA Cup semifinals. Oberdan (Brazil) and Wandelsson (Brazil) are already ‘out for the season’, while Paik and Grant (Australia) are still struggling to get back to full fitness.

However, coach Kim Ki-dong’s tactics and the ‘Pohang spirit’ in the squad have helped the team overcome the crisis. The departure of defensive midfielder Oberdan is being made up for by existing attacking midfielders Kim Jong-woo, Han Chan-hee, and Kim Jun-ho. In defense, the departures of Wandelsson and Grant are being replaced by right fullback Park Seung-wook on the left. The team’s unexpected second-place finish in the league and the FA Cup quarterfinals were largely due to “gums this strong.토스카지노

Kim and the veteran players point to the Pohang spirit as the driving force behind their success this season. Speaking about the Pohang spirit, which is centered on never giving up, Kim said, “There are many difficulties during the season, such as conceding early goals and suffering injuries. But the Pohang spirit is to create a situation where you don’t give up and make up for it.” “At one point, 30 to 40 percent of our best 11 were youth players. “At one point, 30 to 40 percent of our team’s best 11 were from the youth, and I think the Pohang spirit has been inherited as the structure where seniors can have a good influence on the juniors has continued to this day.

Kim Seung-dae agreed. “After entering the professional stage, I played for Jeonbuk Hyundai, Gangwon FC, and Yanbian Fooder (China) in addition to Pohang, but Pohang has its own unique culture.

Regardless of whether you are a starter or a non-starter, you try to make up for your teammates’ deficiencies.” “Because of this atmosphere, transfer players also try to adapt to Pohang’s soccer style and clubhouse culture. Even when we have a lot of injuries and a tight schedule, we don’t fall apart,” he continued.