'SON Replacement Candidate'Bae Junho vs Um Ji Sung, Championship Letter"...The result is a tie
Oct 06, 2024
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Swansea City and Stoke City drew 0-0 in the ninth round of the English Championship in the 2024-2025 season at Swansea Dotcom Stadium in Swansea, Wales, on the 5th (Korea time). The two teams drew only one more point. Swansea City ranked 11th out of 24 teams with 12 points with three wins, three draws and three losses, while Stoke City ranked 16th (10 points) with three wins, one draw and five losses.
The match drew attention as a showdown between Korean soccer superstars born in the 2000s. Um Ji-sung is a left-winger in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and Bae Jun-ho is a left-winger in a 4-4-2 format. Um Ji-sung played for 77 minutes and Bae Joon-ho played for 65 minutes.
The two players are undoubtedly Swansea City and Stoke City's 'Ace'. Um Ji Sung, who left Gwangju FC for Swansea City in the transfer market this summer, started all nine league games played by the team this season. He also scored his first attack point of the season, scoring an assist in the seventh round against Bristol at the end of last month. Um Ji-sung missed his debut goal opportunity when his left foot shot that broke through the left side of the penalty area in the extra time of the first half hit the post.
Um Ji-sung was active from time to time, including three shots, one effective shot, three key passes and four crosses. Um Ji-sung received a 7.5 rating, the highest among Swansea City strikers, from the statistical media WhoScored.
Bae Jun-ho also showed good performance. Bae Jun-ho, who wore a Stoke City uniform last season, was at his best as soon as he entered. Saving the team from relegation, it received the Stoke City Player of the Year award, which was chosen by fans. Bae Jun-ho, who has been showing good performance this year, recorded 'Multi-Help' in the 8th round against Portsmouth. Bae Joon-ho did not record a shot on the day, but he led Stoke City's attack, including one key pass. He also received a 6.6 rating, the highest among the Stoke City attackers.
There is a reason why expectations are high for the performance of the two players. Son Heung-min (Tottenham) was excluded from the national team list due to injury. As the two players mainly play on the left, they are considered candidates for Son Heung-min's replacement. As Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) has been sluggish recently, Um Ji-sung and Bae Jun-ho may have a chance in a surprise move. In terms of style, Bae Joon-ho, who has a similar thumb, but has a different skill and sense, can help the team in other forms.
The two players will join the national team for the third Asian qualifying round of the 2026 North-China World Cup against Jordan in Amman, Jordan, on the 10th.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
