'Jeonbuk's playmaker' Kang Sang-yoon (21) cited 'calmness' as the reason he was able to score the opening goal. Regarding being compared to Park Ji-sung, he said, "It’s an honor just to be mentioned."
The South Korean national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, faced Hong Kong on the 11th at Yongin Mir Stadium, winning 2-0 in the second match of the 2025 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship (East Asian Cup).
Korea continued its winning streak in the tournament with a second consecutive victory, having previously defeated China 3-0 on the 7th.
With Japan (3 points) having played one less game, Korea (6 points) is at the top of the tournament.
On the upcoming 15th, Korea will play Japan in the third match. Japan will face China in its second match on the 12th.
On this day, Kang Sang-yoon was the one who scored the opening goal, leading Korea to victory; he has been performing well in this season's K League.
Kang Sang-yoon is a starting midfielder who solidly defends the midfield of ‘K League leader’ Jeonbuk. He has played 20 matches this season and recorded 3 assists. Based on this performance, coach Hong Myung-bo gave him the opportunity for his A-match debut against China on the 7th. In that match, Kang Sang-yoon entered the field in the 19th minute of the second half, replacing Joo Min-kyu.
On this day, Kang Sang-yoon took on the role of leading the attack from the right side, and he met expectations. After just two A-matches, he tasted the sweetness of scoring a goal, netting it with a turning shot from near the top of the arc in the 27th minute.
After the match, Kang Sang-yoon, who met reporters in the mixed zone, said, "I made my debut in the first match against China, but I was more disappointed with my performance than missing a goal. In this match, I wanted to focus solely on my play. I'm happy to have contributed to the victory with my goal."
Reflecting on when he heard about being selected by coach Hong Myung-bo, Kang Sang-yoon said, "Being selected for an A-match has been a dream since I first started playing football. I feel great. It's hard to describe how strange it is. During the match, I tried to maintain calmness, and looking back, I think that calmness helped my performance."
Looking back at the goal situation, he said, "The older players around me drew the defenders away, which created a shooting opportunity for me. I could see the moment the goal went in, and it was a feeling I had never experienced before."
The number 13 jersey is the one that 'Korean football legend' Park Ji-sung wore during his time at Manchester United.
Kang Sang-yoon noted, "I remember Park Ji-sung's goal in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. I grew up watching it, so I'm grateful just to be mentioned alongside him. Having scored my first goal, I will do well moving forward, and all that’s left is to work hard."
Kang Sang-yoon, who is eager to participate in the upcoming match against Japan on the 15th, said, "If I am given the opportunity, I want to focus on my play rather than seeking to score goals. If I aim to help the team, chances will definitely come."
Having returned from a loan, he is contributing to Jeonbuk's lead in the league this season, reaffirming his role as 'Jeonbuk's playmaker.'
Kang Sang-yoon emphasized, "When I returned to Jeonbuk this year, I was confident that I would do well if given the opportunity. I believe coach Pohyar has helped highlight my strengths, allowing me to perform well in the K League. Thanks to that, I made it to the national team too. Coach Hong Myung-bo also helps me utilize my strengths and points out areas for improvement."
Although he has just gained experience with the senior national team, Kang Sang-yoon certainly has dreams of the World Cup.
He said, "It's a stage that every player dreams of. But for now, I will focus on the upcoming match against Japan."
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