100th A Match Against Brazil... 15th Korean Player
On the morning of the 3rd (Korean time), at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, during the Group H match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup between South Korea and Portugal, Kim Young-gwon is seen cheering after scoring the equalizing goal. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] Veteran defender Kim Young-gwon of the South Korean national football team marked his 100th A match in the Round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
On the 6th (Korean time), Kim Young-gwon started as South Korea's central defender in the Round of 16 match against Brazil held at the 974 Stadium in Doha, Qatar, playing the full match. With this, Kim Young-gwon became the 15th Korean player to join the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) 'Century Club'.
Kim Young-gwon made his A match debut in a friendly match against Nigeria in August 2010 and had scored 7 goals in 99 matches before this game. His debut goal was scored in a friendly match against Serbia in June 2011.
Notably, two of his A match goals came on the World Cup stage, where South Korean football created 'miracles.' In the third group stage match of Group F against Germany at the 2018 Russia World Cup in Kazan, Russia (2-0 South Korea win), Kim Young-gwon scored the decisive opening goal in added time of the second half while the score was 0-0, creating the 'Miracle of Kazan.'
The seventh goal was scored on the 3rd of this month at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, during the third group stage match of Group H against Portugal in the Qatar World Cup. At that time, Kim Young-gwon scored the equalizer in the 27th minute of the first half, laying the foundation for a 2-1 comeback victory. Afterwards, Hwang Hee-chan's winning goal defeated Portugal, allowing South Korea to dramatically advance through the group stage. Kim Young-gwon himself created the opportunity to join the Century Club in the World Cup Round of 16.
◆Family Circumstances, Injuries, Part-time Jobs for Pocket Money... Human Victory Kim Young-gwon
When Kim Young-gwon was active as a central defender at Jeonju Technical High School, he earned pocket money through part-time jobs when there was no training, cultivating a tenacious competitive spirit. Jeonju University coach Jung Jin-hyuk, his mentor during college, said, "Honestly, he was not a chosen player from the start," but added, "I said I would watch for just six months to see if you could overcome it."
Family circumstances, injury history, and the position of central defender?all the environments surrounding Kim Young-gwon were adversities, but he always answered, "I will do it." Seeing Kim Young-gwon dragging a bus tire and running while shouting at Jungmun Beach during winter training in Jeju Island, Coach Jung trusted and supported him so much that he paid his admission fee on his behalf.
In the 2008 Spring College Football Federation quarterfinals, when Jeonju University earned a free kick, Coach Jung immediately chose Kim Young-gwon, who was then a first-year student. Meeting expectations, Kim scored a goal with his left foot. After finishing his sophomore year at university, Kim Young-gwon signed a contract with Tokyo FC in the Japanese J League, and upon receiving the signing bonus, he bowed deeply to Coach Jung in gratitude.
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