K League 1 MVP Cho Hyun-woo, heart MVP "Prize money, I'll use it for friends who play soccer with difficulty."
Nov 29, 2024
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On the 29th, the Hana Bank K League 2024 Awards Ceremony was held at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Hongeun-dong, Seoul. The K League 1 MVP, which drew the most attention, went to Cho Hyun-woo. Cho Hyun-woo received eight votes for the coach, seven for the captain, and 75 for the media. He scored a combined 63.36 points, beating Andersson, who received 20.26 points. Yang Min-hyuk, who won the Young Player Award, scored 16.38 points.
Goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo started his professional career in Daegu in 2013 and moved to Ulsan in 2020 and has been involved only in Ulsan.
This season, Cho Hyun-woo played before the entire game and defended Ulsan's goal with stable saves throughout the season. As a result, Cho Hyun-woo gave up 40 runs in a total of 38 games, recorded 14 clean sheets, two round MVPs and 11 round bests. Ulsan achieved its third consecutive league victory thanks to Cho Hyun-woo's performance.
Cho Hyun-woo has contributed to enhancing the status of Korean soccer in the national team, including the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as well as playing as the main goalkeeper of the national team recently.
Ulsan will produce MVP for three consecutive years, including Lee Chung-yong in 2022 and Kim Young-kwon in 2023 and Cho Hyun-woo this year. It is the first time in 16 years that a goalkeeper has won the MVP since Lee Woon-jae (Suwon) in 2008.
Cho Hyun-woo said, `I can't believe the MVP that I only imagined came to me. It's an award given by fans, so I feel overwhelmed. I want to thank everyone here. Thank you so much to all the support staff, coaching staff, players, Cheoyong Warriors fans. I was able to come this far because I had a loving wife, children, and family. I remember my wife telling me not to be cheeky and run in a humble manner. Thank you so much and I love you. There was a happy moment when I played soccer late while watching only one ball when I was young. There must be many friends who play soccer in difficulties. I will spend the MVP prize money for them. Next year, coach Kim Pan-gon and his players will play a game where they can be applauded by their fans," he said.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
