Jesse Lingard isn’t the only one in the FC Seoul Kim Ki-Dong’s reversal. There’s also Han Seung-kyu (28), a “luxury supporting actor.
Sports Seoul named Han Seung-kyu the Player Of The Round (POTR) for the 20th round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2024.
He has been the salt in the wound for Seoul’s second-half turnaround after failing to break out of a slump that included a shocking five-game home losing streak in the first half. In his last four games alone, Han has one goal and three assists, averaging one offensive point per game. Not only does he have the most assists on the team, but his six key passes are second only to Lingard’s seven. Lingard’s resurgence is also due in part to his synergy with Han Seung-gyu.
His peak form was on full display on Sept. 29, when he broke the Jeonbuk jinx after seven years. He started at right midfield against Jeonbuk Hyundai in the 20th round at Jeonju World Cup Stadium and scored one goal and one assist, including the game-winner, 토토사이트 순위 in the team’s 5-1 victory.
His goal, which came in first-half stoppage time after the team had taken a 1-0 lead, epitomized Seoul’s rise to prominence. Ryu Jae-moon, who took over from Lingard’s exquisite backheel from the right flank, quickly crossed the ball to Ilyuchenko in front of the goal. Han Seung-kyu then penetrated the space and connected with Ilyuchenko’s unassuming pass. Han Seung-kyu calmly slotted the ball into the left corner of the Jeonbuk goal with his right foot. He had earlier assisted Kwon Wan-kyu’s header from a corner kick in the 23rd minute of the first half.
In addition to his individual tactics and quality passing in the second line, Han Seung-kyu has proven his utility as a set-piece kicker in place of the injured Ki Sung-yueng.
After winning the Young Player of the Year award in 2018 with five goals and seven assists in 31 games for Ulsan HD, he was touted as the next big thing in Korean soccer. However, after a move to Jeonbuk Hyundai, he struggled to find his place and spent time on loan at Seoul and Suwon FC. This, coupled with frequent injuries, meant that he didn’t develop as much as expected.
Even after moving to Seoul full-time in 2022, he didn’t burst onto the scene. Finally, this season, under new coach Kim Ki-Dong, he has been able to revive his career.
In particular, Han Seung-gyu has done his part to help Kim’s team transition quickly and create chances in the attacking third. Along with Lingard, he has become one of Kim’s most trusted attacking options.
Most importantly, at 28 years old, he is nearing his prime as a soccer player. He is lucky to have found an attack-minded coach like Kim at a crucial juncture in his career when it comes to surviving in the top flight and at a big club. Forget ‘Youngple’ six years ago. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to fulfill his promise as a pillar of Seoul’s rebuilding under Kim.