Um Ji-sung (Swansea City) unfortunately finished 2024.
Swansea City announced on its website on the 17th (Korea time) that `Um Ji-sung, who suffered a knee injury in the national team match, will be absent for six weeks.' "Um Ji Sung was injured in the match against Jordan when his opponent landed awkwardly on him after a tackle, and after returning to Swansea to evaluate his condition, it was confirmed that he was inevitable for the time being."
Coach Luke Williams said `Um Ji Sung will start rehabilitation immediately' and `He's in the best place we can help him recover. I'm so glad he's back in Swansea so soon to start the rehab process. I hope Um Ji-sung can return to the stadium in six weeks. I want to help you make a full recovery without any long-term problems."
Then "Um Ji Sung seems to have developed steadily in the first quarter of this season. He is a player who makes us excited on the day of the game and it may not be natural for him, but he has learned how to train as well."Um Ji-sung was excellent. I think we will miss the expectations he gives and the way he turns very quickly. But he said, "I'll be back before we even notice it.'
Um Ji-sung was included in the list of two consecutive games against Jordan and Iraq, which were considered a watershed moment for Hong Myung-bo to go to North Korea and the U.S. Um Ji-sung, who was also named in the first period of Hong Myung-bo, was also selected in the second period and established himself as a confident member of Hong Myung-bo. Um Ji-sung left Gwangju FC this summer and moved to Swansea City. There were ups and downs. Um Ji-sung, who played for the national team by age and received attention from overseas, received a love call from Swansea City this summer. But the transfer fee was the problem. Swansea City's transfer fee was too low, and Gwangju expressed reluctance. It also had a negative impact on the fact that it was not possible to recruit from the summer transfer market due to the violation of financial stability.
However, the atmosphere changed at the last minute. Gwangju decided to actively respect the player's will and support Um Ji-sung's dream on a grand scale. Representative Noh Dong-il finally held a video meeting with Swansea City representative to finalize the transfer negotiations. Um Ji-sung became the second Korean player to play for Swansea City after Ki Sung-yueng (FC Seoul). Ki Sung-yueng is known to have strongly recommended Um Ji-sung to Swansea City.
Um Ji-sung, who moved to Swansea City, has been an ace since the preseason. He started all nine matches of the British Championship. After scoring an assist in the League Cup match against Gillingham, he reported his first attack point on the English stage, and at the end of last month, he scored one assist against Bristol City to create his first attack point in the league. Um Ji-sung has expanded his position in the national team based on this momentum.
But he was hamstrung by the injury. Um Ji-sung played in the third Group B match against Jordan in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup at Amman International Stadium in Jordan on the 10th. The owner of the left wing was Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), who was vacant after Son Heung-min (Tottenham) was dropped from the national team due to injury early on. However, Hwang Hee-chan was carried off in the 23rd minute of the first half after being hit twice by a rough tackle by a Jordanian defender.
Plan C was Um Ji Sung. Um Ji-sung made a sharp move after being put in. Um Ji-sung played a key role in Lee Jae-sung's first goal in the 38th minute of the first half. Thumbseong broke through and made space. Lee Myung-jae quickly crossed, and the ball went back. The overlapping Seol Young-woo caught it, beat one defense, and attempted a cross with his left foot. Lee Jae-sung jumped in and finished with a header.
However, he suddenly grabbed his knee and collapsed five minutes into the second half. He exited the stadium with a firm look on his face. Bae Joon-ho (Stoke City) was quickly deployed. Bae Joon-ho showed a good performance, and Hong Myung-bo won 2-0 completely. Um Ji-sung eventually came out of the national team due to an injury. So did Hwang Hee-chan. Instead, Lee Seung-woo and Moon Sun-min (Jeonbuk) were selected.Hong Myung-bo also caught Iraq 3-2, ending the two consecutive games with two consecutive wins.
Local media expressed concern over Um Ji-sung, who was seen moving on crutches. 'Wales Online' could be a fatal blow. Um Ji-sung is Swansea's most interesting and consistent striker this season, saying 'Swansea fans will hope it is just a precautionary measure. Coach Williams will also pray that the injury will not be serious. First of all, the official announcement was made, and Um Ji-sung's 2024 was completed. If he recovers quickly, he will make an appearance in the January game.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
