By Gyunghwan Nam Reporter = Eldest brother Park Jin-seop (Jeonbuk), who is travelling to the Hangzhou Asian Games as a wildcard, has vowed to lead his younger siblings well.
Park arrived at the National Training Centre (NFC) in Paju on Friday to take part in the Asian Games men’s football team call-up training, which will last until the 27th.
Speaking to the media before training, Park said, “I am honoured to be in the national team. It’s the first time I’ve ever worn the Korean flag in football, so I’m very honoured,” he said, adding, “I’m grateful to the coach, and I’m determined to work hard and prepare well.”
A former Jeonju Gonggo player, Park made his professional debut in 2018 with the K League 2 Ansan Greeners before moving to the K League 1 Jeonbuk Hyundai in 2022 after playing for Daejeon Hana Citizen.
After scoring two goals in his first 33 games for the club, Park has one goal and two assists in 22 games this year.
His versatility allows him to play as a defensive midfielder as well as a last line defender.
“The coach told me that he wants me to lead the defensive part,” Park said. “He sees defensive midfielders and centre-backs, so I think I need to prepare well defensively in those areas.”
“I’m the most experienced player on the team, so I think I have to lead them well. The wildcard spot is also important, so I think we need to take care of that.”바카라사이트
Coach Hwang Sun-hong chose Park as a wild card (players over 24 years old), along with Baek Seung-ho (Jeonbuk) and Seol Young-woo (Ulsan).
This is the first time Park has worn the tricolour without going through age group representation.
“I received a lot of congratulatory calls,” Park said, “and the Jeonbuk squad congratulated me a lot. My family was very happy, and I’m grateful that my friends liked it too.”
Park, who has yet to resolve his military service issue, will receive military benefits if he wins gold at the Asian Games.
Some have argued that Hwang’s wild card is less weighty than the wild card of Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Hwang Eui-jo (Nottingham) and Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan) four years ago.
“I would be lying if I said there was no pressure. “Of course, I’m aware that I don’t have the same weight compared to then,” Park said, “but I, Seung-ho, and Young-woo are all doing well in the league, so I’m confident that if we prepare well together, we can do well.