Ace athlete Song Min-kyu’s motivation for the Asian Games is clear: “I’m confident in my ability to play with Kang In-soo and have a 50 percent chance of being selected”

Song Min-kyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai) has his eyes set on Hangzhou.

Jeonbuk Hyundai striker Song Min-kyu has been in the best form of his career this season, leading the team’s attack. Even when the team has been in a bad mood, he’s been able to step up to the plate. He even had a recent injury scare, but he recovered quickly and scored the winning goal in the K League 1 Round 14 match against Suwon FC in Jeonju on the 21st.스포츠토토

Song Mingyu, who is always excited to step onto the pitch, has a clear motivator this year. It’s the Hangzhou Asian Games. Born in 1999, the Asian Games will be the last time Song will be able to compete in his age group. He won’t be eligible for the Paris Olympics, but he’ll have to win a gold medal this year to qualify for military service.

Whether he will be selected remains to be seen. On the other side of the ball, Song Min-kyu’s teammates include Europeans such as Lee Kang-in (Mallorca) and Jung Woo-young (Freiburg), as well as players who have proven themselves in the K League such as Uhm Won-sang (Ulsan Hyundai), Ko Young-joon (Pohang Steelers), Yang Hyun-joon (Gangwon FC), and Um Ji-sung (Gwangju FC).

Song Min-kyu is well aware of this, saying, “I’m very motivated. There are so many good players in the second team that we have to compete. I could feel the passion and ambition of the players in the last call-up. Everyone is working hard to prepare for the gold medal,” he said. “Nothing is always taken for granted. My goal now is to do well in the team and make it to the Asian Games.”

Song has certain advantages. Not only is he talented, but he’s been playing alongside Lee Kang-in, the team’s ace, for a long time. Unless something drastic happens, Hwang Sun-hong is expected to start Lee and use him as the core of his team. Song Min-kyu was a member of last year’s World Cup in Qatar and has spent a lot of time training with Lee to understand his style. It’s a clear distinction from other Korean competitors.

“Everyone knows that Kang In is a good player,” says Song. He can match up well with any player. I played with him in the national team and trained with him, so I know his style. I’m confident in my breathing and I don’t think I’ll have any problems,” he said, adding that he was confident in the synergy with Lee.

Despite his motivation and determination, Song is not convinced that he will make it to Hangzhou. “To be honest, I think it’s only 50%,” he said. “The coach told me that I should be more concerned about my defense than my offense. I’m also trying to improve my deficiencies at my club,” he said, adding that it’s important to have a wide range of skills in order to get on board the Huangshan Hong.

While the chances of getting on board are good, injury is a factor that must be avoided. “Even if an athlete is very fit, one injury can derail them. I try to be careful about injuries,” he said, “but that doesn’t mean I won’t get injured. Once you’re on the field, you have to do your best,” he said, emphasizing that he would do his best without thinking about injuries.