Fullback Lee Yoo-hyun also successfully transformed into midfielder Lee Yoo-hyun'Midas Hands'Yoon Jung-hwan

Jul 09, 2024

이유현. Photo (Gangneung) = Reporter Yoon Jin-man yoonjinman@sportschosun.com

That's exactly 'Midas' Hand'. Gangwon coach Yoon Jung-hwan's players who changed their positions are hitting a 'jackpot' all at once. The beginning was Lee Ki-hyuk. Lee Ki-hyuk, who played as a midfielder in Suwon FC and Jeju Island, was assigned the task of 'left-footed centerback' while preparing for the winter training of Hana Bank's K League 1 2024'. Coach Yoon had a strong perception that he mainly used stability-based tactics, but this season, he tried to put an aggressive color on Gangwon with fast-tempo pass connections and build-ups in line with the flow of modern soccer. Among soccer players, Lee Ki-hyuk, who has a good path stem, was an optimized resource to serve as a starting point for the build-up. Lee Ki-hyuk made mistakes that an authentic defender would not make several times, but he met the expectations of the coaches with his relaxed ball management, sharp forward passes, and opponent's back-space passes.

Since joining Gangwon in 2021, Hwang has been a multiplayer who has played various positions. Coach Yoon judged that the right back is the optimal position where Hwang Moon-ki's unique mobility is 100% displayed. He constantly went up and down the right sideline and sometimes moved to the center to help fight numbers. Lee Ki-hyuk and Hwang Moon-ki, who are 'non-professional defenders', have established themselves as the main four-backs in Gangwon Province.

The most recent player to reach coach Yoon is fullback Lee Yoo-hyun. Key central midfielder Kim Lee-seok and Kim Dae-woo left the battle line due to long-term injuries, and veteran Han Kook-young left for Jeonbuk Hyundai, which was absolutely lacking in numbers. Coach Yoon appointed Lee Yoo-hyun, who used to be a backup fullback, as Kim Kang-guk's midfield partner after much consideration. 'Midfielder Lee Yoo-hyun', which was first introduced in the match against Incheon on the 30th of last month, was a half success, but he played a role in filling the half that he lacked in the match against Gwangju on the 7th. Lee Yoo-hyun swept the midfield with his long hair flying for 90 minutes. I collided when I had to hit it, and I controlled the tempo well when I had to control it. Coach Yoon said after the 2-0 victory, "It's a new discovery. Thank you for doing so well," he said with pleasure. With the appearance of Lee Yoo-hyun, he will be able to breathe until Kim Dong-hyun is discharged from the military in mid-July.

Lee Yoo-hyun, whom I met after the game, said, "When I was in the United States, I played for South Jeolla Province and North Jeolla Province and sometimes saw midfielders. Coach Yoon asked if he had ever played as a midfielder, so he answered that he had. 'Then let's do tactical training together as a midfielder first, so I said okay. I think I was able to play because I liked it. I ran harder to repay my faith. It is regrettable that I did not contribute more to the team today, but I am satisfied that the team won."

Lee Yoo-hyun, who came on loan from Jeonbuk this year, said "As I prepared for the game as a fullback, I was familiar with the direction this team wanted to go, and I think I was able to melt well (in the new position) because I have been constantly communicating with the players and keeping pace with them."

This season, Gangwon is sticking to the same tactical strategy with one winning streak and one losing streak. With the framework in place, there is no great difficulty in adapting even if a new player enters a new position. The fact that the team's atmosphere is good enough to have the best season in Gangwon's history is also seen as a factor that increases the possibility of success in 'position change'. Lee Yoo-hyun said, `Kangwon players are very close. I think the fact that we communicate often is expressed in a good way in the playground"There is no way that Gangwon can't win the championship that it aims for. I think it's important to do your best until the end."

yoonjinman@sportschosun.com

Fullback Lee Yoo-hyun also successfully transformed into midfielder Lee Yoo-hyun'Midas Hands'Yoon Jung-hwan

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