Kim Do-hoon Gets the Scoring Title with a Great Reversal

“Goal, Goal.”

“Korean Bomber” Kim Do-hoon (Sungnam Ilhwa) scored consecutive goals in the final match of this season to become the dream leading scorer of the league.

It was the final match of 2003 Samsung Howjen K-league, held at Daejun World-Cup stadium on November 16. “The pride of Korean players” Kim Do-hoon scored two goals against Daejon Citizen to record a total of 28 goals for this season. With his four consecutive matches which he hit goals like a storm, Kim Do-hoon confirmed himself as the highest scoring player, finishing ahead of “Samba Express” Dodo (Ulsan Hyundai) and Magno (27 goals, Jeonbook Hyundai-Motors).

After winning the scoring title in 2000, he came back to claim his first scoring title in three years, Kim Do-hoon had 13 assists, letting the Brazilian player Edmilson (14, Jeonbook) win the assist title, but he has in fact, won the “triple crown” with the championship of his team and an expected MVP award.

The fans, waiting for the goal, burst out in excitement at the 32nd minute in the first half. Syasya centered from the right corner of the penalty area, and Kim Do-hoon trapped the ball on his chest in the right side of the goal area and kicked the ball in with his left foot, over the defense of Park Chul. Subsequently, Kim Do-hoon won the goal title in the left side of goal area when Irine passed him the ball from the front side of midfield, in the 29th minute in the second half.

Magno, who has lead in goal scoring up to then, didn’t make a goal and missed a decisive chance against Jeonnam Dragons to allow Kim Do-hoon pass him and caused him to miss the title.

Dodo made four stormy goals against Gwangju Sanmu, finishing tied with Magno with 27 goals this season, but finished in second place due to a shorter playing time compared to Magno.

In the meantime, Sungnam lost 2-3, reversing the lead, and finished its season with 91 winning points (27 wins, 10 draws, 7 losses) even though Kim Do-hoon did a good job. The champion prize of Sungnam is 150 million won. Ulsan beat Kwangju Sangmu, 5-0, that day to finish in second place with a record of 73 points (20 wins, 13 draws, 11 losses), just ahead of Suwon (72 winning points). Ulsan gets 100 million won as the prize.

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com