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Injured Kim Dae-eui Scores Dramatic Game-winning Goal for Sungnam

Injured Kim Dae-eui Scores Dramatic Game-winning Goal for Sungnam

Posted July. 16, 2003 21:49,   

˝Coach, I can play 30 minutes at least.˝

˝Are you feeling okay with the injured knee?˝

Kim Dae-eui was asking the head coach of Sungnam Ilhwa to let him play for 30 minutes against Besiktas at an opening match of the Peace Cup Korea 2003 on July 15. After urging him not to strain himself, Coach Cha could see him in full of confidence and allowed him to play. Kim`s determination and Cha`s trust in the player made a dramatic game-winning goal at the opening.

Kim Dae-eui, substituting Cha Cha at the 17th minute in the second half, helped his team continue pressing Besiktas in a downpour. Then, Kim took a chance at the end of the game. The 29-year-old striker headed the ball down into the bottom corner as Hwang Youn-seok passed the ball from the arc side.

Kim, in fact, could have almost missed this season due to the injury he earned at the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Champions League held in Daren, China in March this year. He was able to join the team on the ground on May 17 after concentrating on rehabilitation for three months. Last year`s K-league MVP, then, gave a new lifeline into the team with three goals and one assist.

Straining himself too much, however, he felt his injury worsening, preventing him from playing full-time at the Peace Cup this year. He was determined to do his best while he was on the ground and made the game-winning header at the opening.

˝I intended to pass the ball to Kim Do-hoon,˝ said Kim unseemingly. ˝I was not in my best condition but I wanted to play because this is a rare chance to play against world-class football clubs. I am hoping to continue playing even as a substitute.˝



Sang-Ho Kim hyangsan@donga.com