Seol Scores 3rd Premier League Goal

“The sniper” Seol Ki-hyeon (27, Reading FC) scored his third goal of his season in the English Premier League yesterday.

On November 19 at Madejski Stadium, Reading played Charlton. In the 18th minute in the first half, Stephen Hunt passed the ball back to Nicky Shorey with his heel, which was then neatly crossed right away to the goal mouth. Cutting into the ball’s route, Seol sprang high and struck it into the goal with his head.

It was his first goal after six games and 49 days since his match against West Ham on October 1 when he had his second goal of the season. It is his first goal as the team’s striker and also his first on his team’s home field. Seol has played in all 13 Reading matches (and started in 12), and has collected three goals and two assists.

After handing his usual position, right midfield, to Glen Little, he has been positioned as the top forward since the previous match. He vigorously fought for the ball all over the ground, whether it was left, right or center, and received a standing ovation from the home fans as he left the pitch in the 87th minute after being substituted for by John Oster.

All of Seol’s goals this season were valuable ones. Along with the first score against Sheffield and the second against West Ham, the third was also a match-winner. He has also proven that he can use all parts of his body to score. He made his first goal with his left foot, the second with his right foot and the third with his head.

Kevin Doyle added another goal for the team on the 72nd minute which sealed the team’s 2-0 victory. Including this game, Reading has won two games in a row since a 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on November 12, which stopped the team’s losing streak at four games. In addition, Reading leaped to eighth in the Premiership standings with 19 winning points. The website of Sky Sports, an English broadcasting channel that specializes in sports, rated Seol an 8, attributing the match-winner to him.

jaeyuna@donga.com