"A game that I will never forget for the rest of my life" Kobe Ulin "Wailing Wall" Min Sang-ki is back. ··"Al Hilal match is up to us."
"A game that I will never forget for the rest of my life" Kobe Ulin "Wailing Wall" Min Sang-ki is back. ··"Al Hilal match is up to us."
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"The game gives me goosebumps even now." A smile spread around the mouth of Min Sang-ki (33, Gwangju FC).
Min Sang-ki was the main player in the "Great Reversal Drama" against Vissel Kobe (Japan) in the second round of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) round of 16 at Gwangju World Cup Stadium in the 2024-25 season.
Min was the "wall of wailing" on the day. It is no exaggeration to say that it was his "life game" after debuting professionally in Suwon Samsung in 2010. Thanks to Min's performance, Gwangju beat Kobe 3-0 after extra time. Gwangju came from behind to advance to the quarterfinals with a 3-2 aggregate score in the first and second legs of the round of 16.
I haven't seen Min Sang-ki since that day.
This was the reason why Min Sang-ki played until the end of extra time with his injuries.
Min devoted himself to rehabilitation for more than a month. He made his comeback in the third round of the Korea Cup against Gyeongju KHNP on April 16.
This time, I would like to write another drama in ACLE.
Gwangju will face Al Hilal (Saudi) in the ACLE quarterfinals at 1:30 a.m. on the 26th in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah King Abdullah Sports City.
This is what "MK Sports" talked about with Min Sang-ki, who was about to leave Saudi Arabia on the 20th.
Q. Aren't you the hero of the Kobe War? You were out of your team after getting injured in the second leg of the ACLE Round of 16. How are you feeling.
"After the home game against Kobe, I focused on rehabilitation. I think it's been about a month. I recently returned to team training. While playing in the round of 32 strongest teams at the Korea Cup, I also elevated my sense of play. My physical condition is improving fast."
Q. Didn't you have a "life game" in the second round of the ACLE Round of 16 against Kobe? What do you remember from that game.
I think so, too. Even if I watch the game now again, I get goosebumps all over my body. I think the only explanation is a "miracle." It is the kind of game that I will never forget in my soccer life. I want to leave more memories than the match against Kobe in Saudi Arabia. If I get the chance to play, I will try my best to stop him no matter how many minutes I play.
Q: You debuted as a pro in 2010. You've been to ACLs several times. Are you nervous or excited.
"I only thought about FC Seoul until Wednesday. After the game against Seoul, I started thinking about Al Hilal. Same here. Yesterday (19th), I watched YouTube briefly before I went to bed. The recommended video came up. It was a video of the content creator focusing on Al Hilal's squad.
Q. How was it.
He introduced me to each Al Hilal. I knew for sure that Al Hilal was a team like this. However, soccer is not based on its name. I just came to Gwangju, but this team is very solid. The more I spend time there, the more I feel that "this team is getting stronger." He must have gained confidence by playing ACLE.
Q. What do you think is the most important thing in Al Hilal War.
Al Hilal has many world-class players. There are many players who have experienced the big leagues in Europe. We want them to believe in the soccer we play as we always do. The direction we want to move forward, the sweat we shed, the trust we hit each other, and no one will know the outcome. Do you know when a player feels the most unfair?
Q. I don't know.
They come out of the stadium without showing anything. No matter what team we face, no matter what players we face, we have to focus on showing what we have prepared. I really want Gwangju to show their competitiveness no matter who plays. I don't feel any fear in the squad. Every player is looking forward to it as a "chance to prove our ability." We will do well.
Q. You have a lot of experience in ACLs. Is there anything I should pay more attention to in a game like this.
I have played with some of the best players in Asia, but I think this will be the highest in terms of their names (laughs). They are playing against the players they used to watch in English Premier League broadcasts. I am also looking forward to it. I am not afraid. Many people say that the ball is round. If you play with confidence and pride, you will have no regrets.
Q. Is there a player you really wanted to meet in Al Hilal.
We need to stop striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. As I am a defender, I need to do my best. Coach Lee Jung-hyo will teach me how to stop the striker, so I will follow suit. Personally, the player I really wanted to see is João Cancelo. I used to play soccer a lot (laughs).
Q: You had an away experience in the Middle East when you were in Suwon, right? What should we pay attention to.
There's an overwhelming atmosphere. The stadium will be big. It will be filled with male spectators. It will have a completely different atmosphere from clubs in East Asia, including Korea. It will be really important not to be intimidated by it. Director Lee Jung-hyo also pointed out that part.
Q. What did director Lee Jung-hyo tell you.
Coach Lee Jung-hyo told the players, "Let's think of everything, including the cheering and booing of the opposing fans, as 'cheering for us.' I think we should focus only on the game by making sure we are mentally armed. It is important to focus on what we have prepared and not be swept away by the atmosphere.
Q. There are also concerns about the 'judgment decision'.
It's something I felt every time I played in the Middle East. Maybe it's just us, but we felt that we looked at the opponent in a friendly way. We have to overcome it with our skills. As I said before, no matter what the situation comes, we have to focus only on the game. Even if an angry situation comes, I think we have to deal with it calmly and cleverly.
Q. Many fans from Gwangju came to Incheon International Airport to wish the players well. 메이저놀이터
It hasn't been long since I came to Gwangju. Still, I feel a lot of love from fans. My fans truly love the team Gwangju. They purely love and support the team called Gwangju. I think they are working harder because they know that. I will go to Saudi Arabia and do well and come back.