Doha: This week, the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 will see the AFC Champions League winner Ulsan Hyundai FC and the CONCACAF Champions League winner Tigres UANL from Mexico taking place.
Ulsan players are excited about the chance to win the AFC Champions League in late 2020.
The Republic of Korea team, nicknamed the Tigers, will find themselves in a familiar environment as the 2020 AFC Champions League was held as the central tournament in Qatar.
The Tigers’ sensational journey culminated in a 2-1 win over Persepolis FC from the Islamic Republic of Iran in the final. Yoon Bit-garam was named Most Valuable Player of the Tournament.
“I was just trying to enjoy the games instead of feeling the pressure to perform,” said Yoon. “It wasn’t just me – the rest of the squad loved to play together too. I think that gave us positive energy and allowed us to play as well as we did.”
“The most memorable goal would be against Tokyo FC (during the group stage) when I scored straight from a free kick. It was an important equalizer in a Haniljeon derby (involving teams from Korea Republic and Japan) so I notice this game the most. “
Not only can head coach Hong Myung-bo rest assured that Yoon will be the lynchpin of a deadly attack, but he also has a strong defense that lays the foundation for what brought them to Qatar in 2020 in the first place. Ulsan only allowed seven goals in ten games during his 2020 AFC Champions League season.
Center-back Kim Kee-hee and defensive midfielder Won Du-jae will be instrumental in reducing the threat posed by Tigres’ top scorer Andre-Pierre Gignac.
“Fly the flag of the K-League and represent Ulsan Hyundai in an exclusive tournament that only a few teams from around the world can participate in [excites me most]”Said Kim.” For us this is really exciting and we are having fun preparing for our upcoming game. “
As with Kim, the uniqueness of the Club World Cup is not lost with Won (see picture above, center).
“This is not a competition that anyone can take part in. Whether you are from Asia or Europe, only the best teams from each region take part. It is a great honor and we have to be at the top of our game.”
“I think all players have the same goal: to go all the way. But we want to win our upcoming game first and only then think about our overall goal.”
If Tigres can find a way past them, Won and Kim will know they have a goalkeeper in Jo Hyeon-woo who has experience of doing well on the international stage. Jo was in goal for the Republic of Korea when they shocked Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
“We have to come out stronger than our opponents,” said Jo. “Our 11 players are a good team and will do some exciting things on the pitch. We have to live up to our nickname ‘Tigers of Asia’ and prove that we are not an easy team to play against.”
If the “Tigers of Asia” can beat the “Tigers of Concacaf”, they will face the Copa Libertadores winner, Palmeiras, in the semi-finals.
Sources: FIFA.com, AFP
