"I was scolded a lot by the coach."
On the 21st, Jeonbuk Hyundai and FC Seoul recorded a 1-1 draw in their match in the Hana Bank K League 1 2025 Round 20 at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.
With this draw, Jeonbuk firmly maintained its top position with 12 wins, 6 draws, and 2 losses for a total of 42 points. In particular, Jeonbuk showcased a stable performance while continuing a 16-match unbeaten streak.
Jeonbuk was missing top scorer Jeon Jin-woo on this day. Furthermore, Kim Tae-hwan was also unable to participate. Coach Gus Poyet created a new side defensive line.
Kim Tae-hyun, who usually plays on the left, was moved to the right, and Kim Ha-jun started on the left.
The match was meaningful for Kim Ha-jun as it was his first start of the season. Coach Poyet noted before the game, "Although it’s his league debut, Kim Ha-jun has already shown high-level play in the round of 16 against Daejeon in the Korea Cup."
He added, "Kim Ha-jun is originally a central defender, but he has been adapting to the left-back role in recent training. I was deeply concerned about whether to start either Choi Woo-jin or Kim Ha-jun, but the final choice was Kim Ha-jun."
Ultimately, this choice was correct. Kim Ha-jun played the full 90 minutes, demonstrating solid game management.
After the match, Kim Ha-jun admitted, "Honestly, I was very nervous. It wasn’t my main position, and it had been a while since my return after the ACLT, so there was pressure." He continued, "I only heard that my starting appearance was confirmed after I arrived at the stadium today. The coach had given me a hint a day before, but it was still uncertain at that time."
He added, "The coach mentioned the second half of the match several times. He emphasized being bold in build-up play and being strong in defensive situations."
However, he expressed regret over the goal conceded that day. "I missed the one-on-one man-to-man defense that the coach specifically emphasized. The goal came from that cross, and I was scolded a lot at halftime. The mistake in marking is something the coach dislikes the most, so I felt even more regret."
Kim Ha-jun also stated, "Thanks to that reprimand, I was able to concentrate more in the second half. I accepted it not as something I didn't want to hear, but as an expression of belief in me. The coach has a strong philosophy of winning in one-on-one battles. I think that message unites the players."
Lastly, Kim Ha-jun firmly resolved, "My goal is to show my presence in defense while faithfully carrying out the coach's orders. If I play with a sense of responsibility like today, I believe I will have more opportunities in the future."
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