Modesty vs. Flashy

Pohang Steelers’s seasoned veteran midfielder Kim Ki-dong (35) is currently in his 15th season. As he upholds his impressive record for games played at 423 since his rookie season in 1993 for Yugong, he trails only the 465-game streak of FC Seoul’s Kim Byeong-ji in league history.

In the October 28 semifinals match against Ulsan Hyundai, Kim recorded a 31st minute assist to Lee Gwang-jae’s game winning goal. A mere fifth place team in the regular season, Pohang is stirring up playoffs commotion, thanks in large part to the consistent and experienced plays of its veteran midfielders.

The question of whether Pohang’s timely surge will last remains unanswered. Their impending October 31 (7:30 p.m.) match against the so-called “Real Suwon” in the individually talented constituents of regular season second-place qualifier, Suwon Samsung, will put that question to the test. Featuring national team members in the likes of Ahn Jeong-hwan, Kim Dae-eui, and Ha Tae-gyun as its forwards, midfielders consisting of Kim Nam-il, Lee Gwan-woo, Cho Won-hee, all in complement to a stalwart defense of Song Jong-guk, Suwon may prove to be an insurmountable wall for Pohang.

Pohang’s depleted stamina is regarded to be its single greatest problem. With just two days allotted for recovery from its efforts in the earlier playoff rounds, maintaining the intensity of its high-pressure defense looks to be a daunting task. In contrast, Suwon’s concerns are reportedly possible diminishes in its game situation intensity from its longer layoff.

bluesky@donga.com