“We Will Satisfy Our Grudge of Being Benchwarmers During the World Cup.”

“The World Cup and the professional football are different.”

The professional football is another opportunity for the ‘Teaguk Fighters’ who stayed at the bench during the World Cup.

It is unclear for Kim, Nam-Il, Kim, Tae-Young (Chonam Dragons), and Hong, Myung-Bo (Pohang Stealers) to play at the games on the 10th because of exhaustion and injuries. The professional football games are the benchwarmers’ stage rather than for the starters who played hard for a month.

The opening match of the 7th was a debut match of professional football for Hyun, Young-Min of Ulsan Hyundai. He practiced with the team for only a week during winter but other than that, he didn’t have a chance to practice with the team. However, he already was a star at the Ulsan team. The manager of the Ulsan team Kim, Jung-Nam is planning to put him as a starter at the game on the 10th. He expects him to play as a left side back.

Hyun, Young-Min did not play in the World Cup, not even a minute. Hyun, Young-Min, however, consoled himself saying that he learned many things during the tournament. Hyun, Young-Min said, “I wanted to play at least once but the old players did really well,” and “I thought I learned a lot.” The K league is a chance for him to emit whatever he learned so far. He said, “I am confident that I can do well in the professional games if I get my momentum back. I will be a player that can help the team without showing up too much.”

The goalies who were always ‘standby to play’ because of ‘the spider hand’ Lee Woon-jae (Suwon Samsung) are predicted to be starting on the 10th. Those are Kim Byung-ji of Pohang Steelers and Choi Eun-sung of Daejon Citizens. Kim, Byung-ji is actively showing his readiness saying, “I will take my pride back.” He intents to find out who really is the spider hand. Choi Eun-sung is also ready to keep his place as a goalie.

Choi Sung-young of Suwon Samsung has already proved his abilities at the Asian Super Cup on the 6th. Choi Sung-yong, who debuted to the professional league as a left wing back against Al Hilhal of Saudi Arabia, received a passing grade from the manager Kim, Ho by playing widely from left side to the center of the midfield and active defense.

The ‘new age star’ of Anyang LG Choi Tae-wook gained much confidence although he only played 12 minutes against Turkey at the losers’ final. Choi Tae-wook entered the game as a substitute on the 7th said, “I did not have any trouble to adjust the professional game,” and “it was even more fun to play in front of the large crowd.” A side attacker who can play both in left or right side showed his desire to score a goal saying, “I am confident to play in any position,” and “I would like to score a goal at the K league since I could not score a goal at the World Cup.”

Sung-Won Joo swon@donga.com