It does not come loose. This is the story of Yang Hyeon-jun (21, Gangwon FC), who is experiencing ‘growing pains’ in his third year as a pro.
On the 16th, Yang Hyun-joon started in the home game against Incheon United in the 7th round of the K-League 1, but was replaced after only playing the first half. He had to watch his team lose 0-2 from the bench. After the game, Gangwon coach Choi Yong-soo said, “I appointed him as a starter with confidence. He had to show his abilities comfortably, but he showed impatience.”
Yang Hyun-joon is going through hardships this season. 메이저놀이터Gangwon, their team, fell into a swamp of undefeated 7 matches (3 draws and 4 losses) and still could not sing the victory song. Yang Hyeon-joon, a key striker, played 6 games, going back and forth between starting and replacing, but failed to raise an attack point. Only 1 of 9 shots hit in the previous 6 games went to the goal. Many say that his dribbling, which was his greatest strength, has become dull this year.
The start of the season is definitely different from last year. Yang Hyun-joon won the 2022 K League 1 Young Player Award. At that time, he participated in 36 league games and scored 8 goals and 4 assists, receiving overwhelming support from voters. Expectations were gathered to show off more mature skills this season.
But bad news overlapped. On the 11th of last month, Yang Hyun-joon suffered a fracture of his nose in a game against Daegu FC and was on the operating table. Due to the overlap of the A match period, he took only one game off and quickly returned to the pitch, but he is struggling to improve his condition. After returning from injury on the 2nd, Yang Hyun-joon expressed difficulties, saying, “(The defenders) seem to stick together more strongly, and they try not to give space.” It is a story that his opponent recognizes his strengths and prepares for them.
Yang Hyun-joon, whose shoulders were heavy because he did not score a goal, burst into tears after the match against Jeju United (1-2 loss) on the 9th. When Narsha, the team supporter, promised her unchanging ‘support’, he shed hot tears. He seems to have felt responsible for the poor performance of his team at the beginning of the season.
Director Choi Yong-soo still has faith in Yang Hyeon-joon. He always praises his skills and emphasizes that he can become a better player only when he overcomes the growing pains he is experiencing now.
This season, his third year as a pro, is more important to Yang Hyun-jun than ever. He can participate in the Hangzhou Asian Games, which will be held in September this year, and the 2024 Paris Olympics. As there are many outstanding wingers in this age group, his performance in his league is desperate.
