Jeonbuk Pertahankan Kim Ye-geon Jelang Laga Kontra Daejeon Hana

Manajemen Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors dan Asosiasi Sepak Bola Korea (KFA) menyepakati penundaan bergabungnya gelandang muda Kim Ye-geon ke pemusatan latihan tim nasional U19 Korea Selatan hingga 26 Juli 2026. Keputusan ini diambil agar pemain berusia 17 tahun tersebut dapat memperkuat klub pada laga pekan ke-19 K League 1 2026 melawan Daejeon Hana Citizen di Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Selasa (21/7/2026) malam.

Pemusatan latihan timnas U19 Korea Selatan asuhan pelatih Kim Jung-soo di Cheonan Korea Football Park sebenarnya telah dimulai sejak 20 Juli dan dijadwalkan berlangsung hingga 29 Juli 2026. Latihan tersebut digelar sebagai persiapan menghadapi kualifikasi Piala Asia U-20 AFC 2027. Namun, status pemusatan latihan domestik ke-4 yang bukan merupakan turnamen resmi memungkinkan Jeonbuk untuk mempertahankan sang pemain dalam dua laga krusial menghadapi Daejeon dan Pohang Steelers.

Pelatih Jeonbuk Hyundai Chung Jung-yong menegaskan pentingnya konsentrasi tinggi serta gol pembuka dalam laga menghadapi Daejeon Hana Citizen untuk mengamankan posisi di papan atas klasemen K League 1 2026.

"It was a game after the away match at Incheon United on the 18th," ujar Chung Jung-yong, Pelatih Jeonbuk Hyundai.

Chung Jung-yong menjelaskan bahwa rotasi dilakukan demi menjaga kebugaran fisik dan efektivitas taktik tim.

"We have prepared to show our strengths. Gittis worked harder than anyone else on the training ground. Gitis has a regret that he has not played many games in his former team.

Maybe that's why you're working harder. However, it is up to you to prove it. After completing team training, only strikers are conducting separate training.

I hope we get a good result," kata Chung Jung-yong, Pelatih Jeonbuk Hyundai.

Mantan pelatih timnas kelompok umur Korea Selatan itu menyoroti sengitnya persaingan perebutan poin di papan tengah dan atas K League 1 2026.

"It's a difficult situation for us or for Daejeon. The key is who sets the early atmosphere. If you lose a point first, it can become difficult.

It is a game that requires higher concentration than usual. I talked to the players about the need for the first goal. He said he will bring three points," tutur Chung Jung-yong, Pelatih Jeonbuk Hyundai.

Penampilan impresif Kim Ye-geon dalam beberapa laga terakhir turut memancing pujian dari pemain veteran Incheon United Lee Chung-yong usai pertemuan kedua tim pada 18 Juli 2026.

"I think he plays even better than I did when I was his age," kata Lee Chung-yong, Pemain Veteran Incheon United.

Mantan pemain timnas Korea Selatan yang berkarir di Liga Inggris tersebut menilai bakat teknis yang dimiliki Kim Ye-geon sangat menonjol di lapangan.

"He seems technically very good. Football fans will surely enjoy watching his play," ujar Lee Chung-yong, Pemain Veteran Incheon United.

Lee Chung-yong memberikan perhatian penuh pada perkembangan karier yuniornya tersebut di kompetisi domestik.

"I think he is a player whose future is even more anticipated. I saw him play in the recent Ulsan HD match; despite his young age, he showed great ability and confidence, which was pleasing to watch. I hope he stays healthy and avoids major injuries while continuing to show good performances," tutur Lee Chung-yong, Pemain Veteran Incheon United.

Eks pemain Bolton Wanderers itu mengakui bahwa pergerakan Kim Ye-geon sangat menyulitkan lini pertahanan timnya.

"As an opponent, he was a dangerous player for us. That's why we had to be extra careful and try to stop him," kata Lee Chung-yong, Pemain Veteran Incheon United.

Menanggapi sorotan publik dan pujian yang diterimanya, Kim Ye-geon mengaku memilih fokus pada persiapan tim dan menyerahkan keputusan menit bermain kepada tim pelatih.

"I heard that opponents would become increasingly rough, but I tried not to worry about that and just play as usual. There is some pressure from the attention, but I'm not overly concerned. I am focusing on training hard and preparing for matches," ujar Kim Ye-geon, Pemain Muda Jeonbuk Hyundai.

Pemain berusia 17 tahun itu menegaskan komitmennya untuk memberikan kontribusi maksimal bagi Jeonbuk Hyundai.

"I always have ambition regarding playing time, but right now my role is to support the senior players. Just being able to play in a match is good enough. My biggest goal is to help the seniors win the championship. I want to stay injury-free and gradually show better performances step by step," kata Kim Ye-geon, Pemain Muda Jeonbuk Hyundai.

Jeonbuk Hyundai saat ini menempati peringkat ketiga klasemen sementara K League 1 2026 dengan mengoleksi 29 poin dari 18 pertandingan. Setelah laga melawan Daejeon, Kim Ye-geon dijadwalkan tampil menghadapi Pohang Steelers pada 25 Juli 2026 sebelum bertolak ke Cheonan untuk bergabung dengan skuad timnas U19 pada 26 Juli 2026.