 |
| TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, USA) / 2025 FIFA Club World Cup / Game 3 / Borussia Dortmund vs Ulsan HDFC / Ulsan Kim Young-kwon / Team Greetings/ Photo by Kim Jung-soo |
|
 |
| TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, USA) / 2025 FIFA Club World Cup / Game 3 / Borussia Dortmund vs Ulsan HDFC / Mixed Zone / Ulsan Kim Young-kwon / Photo Kim Jung-soo |
|
 |
| AFP Yonhap News |
|
[Cincinnati (USA) = Sports Chosun Reporter Kim Sung-won] The 6th World Cup has come to an end.
Among the veterans, Kim Young-kwon (35) played for the national team three times, starting with the 2014 Brazil World Cup. During the Guangzhou Evergrande (China), he played in the two-chare Club World Cup and also participated in the 2025 Club World Cup, which was expanded and reorganized by FIFA. This is the third club World Cup.
Ulsan's 'Captain' was 'Captain'. Although he ended the tournament with all three losses, he led the defense line and played full time. The last opponent was German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund.
Ulsan lost 0-1 in the final Group F match against Dortmund at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on the 26th (Korea time). Ulsan, which lost 0-1 to South Africa's Mamelodi Sundaus in the first game, was dragged 0-1 in the second game against Brazil's prestigious Pluminensei and succeeded in turning the tables, but failed to withstand the last. I fell to my knees two to four.
Kim Young-kwon said after the match against Dortmund "What's unfortunate is that the results didn't come out compared to not only me but also our players." The performance was difficult, but I think you must have felt and learned a lot through this competition"I think our players must have clearly felt well through this game what to do after going back to the K-League. This tournament ended unfortunately, but I think it would have been a good experience again."
 |
| AFP Yonhap News |
|
 |
| AFP Yonhap News |
|
Strengthening the competitiveness of the club has also emerged as a challenge. Kim Young-kwon said, `There are many factors, but I think we need to increase our competitiveness a little more. In Asia, especially Saudi Arabia, it is certainly bringing in a lot of foreigners and good players by investing in them. Likewise, I think that if the K-League is prepared a little more investmentally, we can fight a little more competitively with a global team."
Cho Hyun-woo made a thrilling save against Dortmund. Kim Young-kwon also did his part. He said "In my case, I'm used to it because I've experienced a lot of defensive soccer like this in the national team. However, there must be players who are not used to it because we have played a lot of games in the K League. However, this part must also be taken into account. I think we definitely had something to learn, and I think we learned a lot about how to solve it in the defense that we put down," he stressed.
And "I think there was a big difference in personal quality. Also, if I had been a little more aggressive, I think I would have come out a little more in the goal area."
He played in 112 A matches. The North Korea-China World Cup will be held next year. Kim Young-kwon said, `I've actually never worried about the weather in three World Cups so far. However, I am worried about whether I will be able to play the best game in the World Cup next year, and I am sure there will be some improvement. I'm very worried, but I also think it'll be a bit of a physical battle."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
