Russia World Cup match against Germany? Ju Se-jong said, "I won't tell you the end of my worries. I wasn't that good with Kobe."
Russia World Cup match against Germany? Ju Se-jong said, "I won't tell you the end of my worries. I wasn't that good with Kobe."
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Joo Se-jong (34) of Gwangju FC also had a hard time hiding his bright smile. It was a dramatic victory.
Gwangju advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Vissel Kobe of Japan 3-2 in the round of 16 of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite (ACLE).
There is a reason why the team described it as a "drama-like victory." Gwangju lost 0-2 in the first leg of the ACLE Round of 16 away match in Kobe on March 5. Gwangju also lost 0-2 in the ACLE League stage in the 2024-25 season in Kobe. Gwangju struggled in the two face-to-face matches against Kobe, as it failed to score a single shot on goal.
Gwangju won the most important game, overwhelming Kobe.
Ju Se-jong stepped on the ground as a substitute in the 32nd minute of the second half in the second round of the ACLE round of 16 at home on the 12th, contributing to the team's great comeback victory.
This is the story that Joo Se-jong talked with reporters in the joint coverage area after the Kobe match on the 12th.
Q. I wrote a miracle.
It is the first time that the team will advance to the quarterfinals at ACL (the predecessor of ACLE) since the days of FC Seoul. How many years ago was that? It is the first time since 2016. It feels great. All Gwangju members, including coach Lee Jung-hyo, coaches and colleagues, have joined forces to achieve the feat. We are very happy because we made a group of achievements together.
Q. No one expected it. How was the preparation process.
Before the match, the team had lost both matches against Kobe. Coach Lee Jung-hyo told the players before the match, "I really hope we win this time. Regardless of whether we advance to the quarterfinals or not, we must take revenge. Let's pour everything into the match against Kobe with that mindset." To be honest, the mood was a bit heavy (laughs).
We have prepared more thoroughly. The training was done in great detail. I think such preparation led to victory against Kobe. I think the players will grow one step further by winning against Kobe.
Q: Isn't Ju Se-jong highly experienced? Did director Lee Jung-hyo order anything.
It's always the same. When I first came to Gwangju, coach Lee Jung-hyo said something. Coach Lee Jung-hyo said to me, "I want you to lead the team as a senior." When I came to Gwangju, I found that this team has its own culture. Even if I don't have to come forward, the players trust the coach and coaches and do their best. I'm only talking about the details to the players.
Q: He played as a substitute in the 32nd minute of the second half. Didn't you watch him from the bench before the game started? Did you see the players' movements and feel like they could do it today.
Coach Lee Jung-hyo, our analysts thoroughly analyzed Kobe. Based on that analysis, we conducted detailed training sessions. What we prepared came out one by one from the beginning. Seeing that, I thought, "I can bring results today." Afterwards, I saw the faces of the players. I saw the players enjoying the tough game. I thought, "I'm going to work hard."
Q. I think they also prepared a penalty shootout.
We did prepare (laughs). To be honest, we had to win by a gap of two goals in order to achieve a penalty shootout. Rather than a penalty shootout, we focused on scoring goals somehow.
Q. If it had been a penalty shootout, I think Ju Se-jong would have been the kicker.
I take it for granted because I am the senior. I thought that if the game went to a penalty shootout, I should step up first. I thought that would add confidence to my juniors. But I didn't think I would go (to the penalty shootout). Especially as the overtime went on, Kobe players' feet became heavier. I clearly saw their tiredness. After confirming that, I thought, "We can finish it in the overtime." Before the overtime started, we talked about getting stronger among the players.
Q. If the game went to a penalty shootout, would Ju Se-jong be the last kicker. 스포츠토토
"I will kick No. 1," he said to coach Lee Jung-hyo (laughs). "It's a big game. If the players hesitated, I wonder if I would have played first. I think it's right to do that as a senior player.