Choi Kang-min, 22, is the new future of Ulsan HD.
The Ulsan youth team, Hyundai Go, is where he developed his professional dreams, and this season he finally made his first-team debut. Choi made his first appearance on March 9 in an away match against Gimcheon Commerce (3-2 win). On March 30, he made his first start against Jeonbuk Hyundai (2-2 draw).
Ulsan was in desperate need of a new face. Lee Dong-kyung, who had been leading the team, joined the military. In eight K League 1 games, Lee led the offense with seven goals and five assists. He left the team as the leader in goals and assists.
In the absence of Lee Dong-kyung, Choi Kang-min shined. He scored the game-winning goal in the 10th round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2024 against Daegu FC at DGB Daegu Bank Park on Monday to lead Ulsan to a 2-1 victory. Ulsan conceded an early goal to Daegu’s Park Yong-hee in the 34th minute, but Kang Yoon-gu equalized in the 43rd minute with his first goal of the season, 토토사이트 and Choi Kang-min converted Seol Young-woo’s cross in the 37th minute for his professional debut.
Choi Kang-min can play both fullback and lateral midfield.
He was substituted for Lee Cheong-yong in the 32nd minute of the second half, and within five minutes, he had his first ‘accident’. It was his first celebration in six K League games.
Choi Kang-min’s goal extended Ulsan’s winning streak to four games in a row in K League 1, moving them from third to second place with 20 points (6 W, 2 D, 1 L). With one less game due to their Asian Champions League (ACL) schedule, they are one point behind leader Pohang (21-6 W, 3-3-1 D). Third-place Gimcheon (20-6 W2 D2 L2) has a goal difference advantage.
Choi Kang-min attended the official post-match press conference for the first time. He smiled and said, “I’m a little nervous because it’s my first interview like this,” but he was uncharacteristically calm for a rookie.
“Going into today, I thought it would be a tough game because of the tight schedule, but I’m glad I was able to score a goal and win,” he smiled. When asked how he felt about his debut goal, he said, “My head was white and all I could think about was being happy. It was nice to be able to point to the Ulsan emblem and show the fans what I always imagined,” he said.
There were some giddy moments.
Choi Kang-min almost gave away the equalizer in the last minute of the game. A pass from the left flank was stolen by an opponent. Kim Young-kwon fouled him, but the danger of a goal continued from the ensuing free kick. Fortunately, the worst was yet to come.
“I told my brothers that they had tasted heaven and hell, and I’m so grateful to them for making the save,” Choi confessed. He’s been through some heartache lately. After Bae Junho (Stoke City) was ruled out of the U-23 Asian Cup, Hwang Sun-hong was called up to replace him. But he was unable to keep his head up as Korea failed to qualify for a 10th consecutive Olympics.
“It was unfortunate and hard,” said Choi. I apologize to the fans for the poor result,” he said, adding, “I want to be a player who doesn’t cause damage to the team, and a player who can play in any position.”
Along with Choi Kang-min, U-22 volunteer Kang Yoon-gu (22) has also scored a goal this season. 파워볼사이트 Ulsan head coach Hong Myung-bo said, “The younger players are growing up. Of course, there is a gap between them and their older brothers, but they are energizing players. Their goals will be a big boost for the team,” he said.