The "crisis of Jeonbuk" is no more. Unlike last season, when the team struggled in the relegation zone, Jeonbuk Hyundai, led by coach Gus Poyet, is continuing a solid upward trend beyond the midpoint of the 2025 season. This time, they secured a thrilling victory on the road against FC Seoul, again proving their "winning mentality."
On the 2nd, Jeonbuk defeated Seoul 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Hana Bank Korea Cup held at Seoul World Cup Stadium. With this victory, Jeonbuk, which is on a 20-match unbeaten streak including cup competitions, has secured a ticket to the semifinals, laying the groundwork for another trophy challenge following their solo lead in the league.
After the match, Poyet noted, "We struggled against the opponent's strong pressure, but goalkeeper Kim Jung-hoon's several crucial saves kept the team in the game. The second half saw a tight flow, but Song Min-kyu played a pivotal role at a crucial moment,” adding that it was a game that once again showcased Jeonbuk's winning mentality.
In fact, the match was a showcase of Jeonbuk's tenacious defense and decisive ability. At the center of it was goalkeeper Kim Jung-hoon, who was back in action after a long time. Kim Jung-hoon repeatedly thwarted crisis situations with his body, leading the team to a scoreless victory.
Back in the starting lineup for the first time in a while, he shared, "Honestly, there was a lot of pressure, and I felt uneasy. Before the match, I watched many videos of Seoul's games and reviewed my own play to prepare myself,” and added, “After the game, my teammates told me, 'Thank you for saving us.' The atmosphere in the team is really good these days, and even if I don't do anything, the older players naturally create energy. I'm also trying to harmonize within that.”
Kim Jung-hoon secured the starting position in the first half of last season, but he was relegated to backup when national team goalkeeper Kim Jun-hong returned from military service. This season, with Song Bum-keun also back, the competition for the goalkeeping position has intensified. However, he has been quietly preparing for his opportunity.
"Honestly, it wasn't easy to sit on the bench after playing as a starter last year. Still, I believed that the chance would come again someday," he said, adding, "It would be a lie to say I wasn’t frustrated. But I thought my job was to accept my position and prepare better. The goalkeeper coach always tells me, 'You are a good goalkeeper recognized by other teams. Never lose confidence,' and that really motivates me."
It's not only the performance of the players on the field. Since Poyet's appointment, Jeonbuk has seen clear improvements in second-half concentration, defensive stability, and decisiveness. Kim Jung-hoon emphasized, "Now our team doesn’t imagine losing. We play with the conviction that we must win,” adding, “Even at halftime, the phrase 'We can do it' naturally came out. Jeonbuk has really changed a lot these days."
Jeonbuk is maintaining a strong momentum in both the league and cup competitions and is climbing to the center of the championship race in the latter half of the season. Jeonbuk's "winning mentality" is now being proven through their performance, not just a slogan.
[Photo] Provided by KFA.
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