Kim Nam-il Selected as a ‘Surprise MVP’ in His Debut Game

The ‘Vacuum Cleaner’ Kim Nam-il (26. Excelsior) was honored to be selected as the game MVP in his debut game in the Dutch Professional Football League.

Kim Nam-il played debuted at the game between Excelsior and Waalwick in the Dutch Pro Football 1st League held on the 2nd and played really well for 90 minutes.

Kim Nam-il defended opponent`s excellent chances as many as 5 times and selected as the ‘game MVP,’ by the fans after the game. The official fan page of Excelsior also gave Kim Nam-il the team best 7 points.

Originally, Kim Nam-il was planned to have his official debut at the game against Feyenoord, but he had surprise debut game that day. Despite of Kim Nam-il`s action, Excelsior lost the game by the score of 1-2.

In the meantime the ‘Lord of the Ring’ of the Japanese Pro Football J-League, Ahn Jung-hwan (27. Simiz S Pearls) showed the best condition facing the opening of the season.

Ahn Jung-hwan recorded a hat-trick at the practice game against Hamamas University held at the Miho Stadium in Simiz, Japan on the 1st. Ahn Jung-Hwan, who had a slump with injuries in his knee and thigh for a while right after coming to Japan, recorded his first goal in the pre-season game against the Tokyo FC last 23rd, and made his season prospect bright by recording 3 goals although it was a practice game. Ahn Jung-hwan was substituted for his physical condition when the team was leading 6-0, and Simiz won big with the score of 11-2.

And Lee Young-pyo in the Netherlands (26. PSV Eindhoven) started the away game against SC Heerenveen held at the Ave Lengstra Ball Park on the 2nd and played for 90 minutes as a left defender, so he recorded two consecutive starts. Lee Young-pyo, who had a mission to start once again since the game against NAC Breda on last 23rd, did not record a offensive point; however, played a role for team`s 1-0 victory by contributing the best defending ability such as denying opponent`s definite scoring chances.

However, Park Ji-sung in the same team was not even on the substitution least, so it was known that his physical condition was not good due to injury. Eindhoven defeated Heerenveen by the score of 1-0 with the game-wining goal by Roben during the injury time, and it speeded the sole lead of the league with the record of 18 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss.

Soon-Il Kwon stt77@donga.com