Head coach Kim Ki-Dong (52) praised the mental strength of Jesse Lingard (32). Lingard’s comeback from a knee injury early in the season is looking increasingly promising.
FC Seoul drew 2-2 with Ulsan HD in the 17th round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2024 at the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Seoul remained in ninth place after four consecutive matches without a win (two draws and two losses). Ulsan moved to the top of the table, one point ahead of second-place Gangwon FC (31 points).
Head coach Kim Ki-dong said in the post-match press conference, “We keep making ridiculous mistakes. We gave up easy goals to our opponents. It’s hard to move up to the mid-table if we concede goals like this. I talked to the players and said, “It’s not easy to catch up after conceding two goals in Munsu. The players played until the end. We didn’t get the result, but it was good to see them fight until the end. They are getting stronger. One point today may not seem like a lot, but in the long run it will play a big role. We are happy to give our fans a point rather than a loss.”
Seoul conceded two goals in the first half to fall behind. Ilyuchenko’s multi-goal performance in the second half resurrected them. Coach Kim Ki-dong said, “The first half wasn’t bad. We just made a mistake in the center buildup. We didn’t change much in the second half. It was a battle of concentration.”
Jesse Lingard wore the captain’s armband for the first time in K League 1. “In the first half, I told him to try to shoot a lot from the left side when he had a chance,” Kim Ki-dong said of Lingard’s performance, “and when (Lee) Seung-joon drops back, I told him to pass to Lingard.” “I wish he could have shot, but it’s a shame. Maybe my timing wasn’t right. When I 카지노사이트 play, it’s not what it looks like from the outside. He’s a very good shooter. He keeps asking for it. It’s better than someone else hitting it.”
Ki Sung-yueng was absent. Ryu Jae-moon and Lee Seung-mo combined in the midfield. “When (Ki) Sung-yong plays, he’s involved in the buildup,” said coach Kim Ki-dong. “Against Ulsan, we played more simply. I was worried about (Ryu) Jae-moon because he didn’t play well in training. He played better than I thought. He’s an experienced player. He helped us until the end.”
Unforced errors are still holding Seoul back. “I think (Kwon) Wan-kyu and (Park) Sung-hoon will be able to overcome it,” said Kim Ki-dong about the defense. They are professional players. It’s not a problem that can be solved by going to another team.” “There is no alternative. Kim Joo-sung can’t play yet,” he said.
Lingard was clearly tired in the second half. He struggled to run on the counterattack and stayed in the defense. “It’s understandable,” said Kim Ki-dong. We didn’t have any substitutes,” said Kim, “but we continue to lead in a good direction. Lingard is also strong-willed. I believe in him too. He’s a player who can do well. I’m even worried that he’ll say he’ll play in the next game.” Seoul will play Gangwon in the Korea Cup three days later.