K League 1 (Part 1) Incheon United had a dazzling 2022 season. After a lot of hard work, he erased the image of the ‘remaining king’ and finished in 4th place. Thanks to that, I received a ticket to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) for the 2023-2024 season as a gift. It is necessary to pass the playoffs (PO) in August to advance to the group stage, but Incheon’s momentum, which is challenging the international stage for the first time since its founding, is unlikely to be easily weakened.
Incheon coach Cho Seong-hwan (53), who finished off-season training in Chiang Mai, Thailand and started the second training session in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, showed both sincerity and tranquility on his face. It is because of the composure of “I have been given time to strengthen the team beyond the game”, the expectation of “I wonder how much better it will do”, and the burden of “continuity to continue last year’s performance is important” coexist.
Since the appointment of coach Cho, who said, “All these emotions are proof that I am alive,” Incheon has made great strides. Even when he was appointed as a firefighter in August 2020, the team was accustomed to defeat, but after a dramatic comeback, the ‘happiness race’ unfolded without stopping. The grades rose to 8th place in the 2021 season and 4th place in the 2022 season. He said, “Now (winter training) is the most relaxed time. There is no stress at all,” he said with a smile.
However, the pre-season was prepared like a war. Not only did they reinforce proven resources at home and abroad, such as Jose Mpoku, Zerso, Shin Jin-ho, and Kwon Jin-jin, but they also extended contracts with existing members such as Lee Myung-joo and Kim Dong-min. Outsiders do not hesitate to pick Incheon as ‘the team that spent the winter transfer market most fruitfully’.
Director Jo did not hide his confidence. “I wanted to get out of the form of relying on a specific player. With the active support of the club, they brought in those who will contribute to diversifying attack routes and patterns. Focused on avoiding position duplication and reducing the risk of failure. We are almost equipped with a satisfactory force.”
Expectations are high for a stronger team. I believe that if you increase your momentum at the beginning of the season and ride the flow, you can do well in the ACL. “There was no need to doubt the winter training attitude and sense of purpose,” said coach Cho. Belief in yourself is also very important.” 온라인카지노
It is a completely different atmosphere from the past. When everyone says survival is difficult, it is the pride filled with strong mistakes. Of course, I’m not afraid of the opponent’s check. Director Joe said, “You just have to overcome it. Being wary of us means that the possibilities are endless. Prepare for more than that. I will play every game with the earnestness of ‘just before relegation’.”
The homework for the new season is also clear. It is continuity. I don’t want to end last year’s performance with a special past. Step by step, we are trying to achieve ‘Soccer City Incheon’ and ‘Average 10,000 spectators’. “My goal at the beginning of my appointment was to ‘make the steps of the fans who visit the stadium lighter’. Director Cho said, “I wanted to at least erase the burden of relegation.” “The future is important. don’t go back to the past This year, we have been preparing to increase the number of games that capture both content and results.”