“When I was playing in Hamburg, I heard the story of Son Heung-min from the club members. Many officials in the clubhouse told me that Son Heung-min came to the training ground with his father and practiced shooting with his right foot and left foot almost every day. Korea It was at that time that I first heard about it
.
Gwangju FC held a press conference for the 2023 K-League Winter Field Training Media Camp at 10 am on the 8th at the Barev Hotel in Seogwipo, Jeju Island.
Gwangju achieved overwhelming results in the K-League 2 last season. Coach Lee Jeong-hyo, who confirmed the K-League 2 championship in the shortest period of time with a unique record of 25 wins, 11 draws and 4 losses, set a new record for K-League 2 most wins and most points (previous 20 wins, 73 points) and K League 2 most consecutive home wins (10 consecutive wins). ), rewrote numerous records, such as winning against all clubs at home.
Now, I challenge K-League 1. After being relegated to the bottom in K-League 1 in the 2021 season, he succeeded in rebounding immediately after one season and achieved direct promotion with the championship. Gwangju, which succeeded in promotion thanks to coach Lee Jung-hyo’s leadership and players’ strong organizational skills, is ready to create a stir in the K-League 1 by continuing the winning spirit this season.
It wasn’t that there were no ups and downs. In this winter’s transfer market, Kim Jong-woo, who was the team’s key midfielder, left for Pohang, and Hays, the team’s top scorer with 12 goals last season, also moved to Jeju.
Accordingly, Gwangju succeeded in reinforcing its power by bringing in an unusually large number of foreign resources. Albanian winger Asani was signed and Brazilian striker Thomas was also brought in. And Gwangju, which desperately needed defensive reinforcements to hold out against teams one step ahead in the K-League 1, brought in Dutch defender Timo.
He is the owner of a remarkable resume. Born in the Netherlands in 1993, Timo made his professional debut for Groningen after a youth career with Ajax, Heerenveen and Groningen. Since then, he has been active in Utrecht, and he has strong bones in the European stage to the extent that he has also played in Sassuolo in Italy, Hamburg in Germany, and Lyngby in Denmark. In particular, in Hamburg, he scored two goals in 24 matches in the 2019-20 season. He didn’t stay long, but he gained experience playing in the Bundesliga.
The reporters met Timo at the카지노 Barev Hotel on the 8th. Unlike his 188cm tall physique, he gave off a good impression. He asked him about his experiences on stage in Europe and his impressions of Korea as he stepped on the unfamiliar land of Korea.
[Below, Gwangju FC Timo Interview Q&A]
Accordingly, Gwangju succeeded in reinforcing its power by bringing in an unusually large number of foreign resources. Albanian winger Asani was signed and Brazilian striker Thomas was also brought in. And Gwangju, which desperately needed defensive reinforcements to hold out against teams one step ahead in the K-League 1, brought in Dutch defender Timo.
He is the owner of a remarkable resume. Born in the Netherlands in 1993, Timo made his professional debut for Groningen after a youth career with Ajax, Heerenveen and Groningen. Since then, he has been active in Utrecht, and he has strong bones in the European stage to the extent that he has also played in Sassuolo in Italy, Hamburg in Germany, and Lyngby in Denmark. In particular, in Hamburg, he scored two goals in 24 matches in the 2019-20 season. He didn’t stay long, but he gained experience playing in the Bundesliga.
The reporters met Timo at the Barev Hotel on the 8th. Unlike his 188cm tall physique, he gave off a good impression. He asked him about his experiences on stage in Europe and his impressions of Korea as he stepped on the unfamiliar land of Korea.
[Below, Gwangju FC Timo Interview Q&A]
First Impressions in Korea
I am learning a lot about Korean football and culture. He watched the K-League videos before the transfer and was deeply impressed, which was the reason he moved to Korea.
He has thick bones in his European stage. What is the difference in football style from the K-League?
Although we haven’t played an official match in Korea yet, the training method is very detailed and orderly when watching the videos. Also, the players are very mentally professional and disciplined during training. For example, in the case of Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy, players fight while talking to each other during matches or training. However, there is a feeling that the players are moving forward together with one goal.
Does coach Lee Jung-hyo ask for anything in particular
? Coach likes to occupy and attack. It is similar to the football I experienced in Europe. In defense, the details are a bit different. In Korea, coaches tell me to be more calm and patient. And the cover play is important. For example, it is important to breathe with the goalkeeper and the defenders next to him. The benefits are a bit different from what I experienced for 10 to 15 years, but it is my responsibility to adapt and I will work hard for this.
You talked about the cover play between the defender and the goalkeeper. Are there any communication problems?
Gwangju has recruited many foreign players this time, and all players try to communicate with Korean players. And I also mix some Korean words. For example, words like “opposite (transition)”. In soccer you don’t need hundreds of horses. Even if it is just one or two words, communication is possible in the stadium. So I don’t see any communication problems.
Who is the most friendly player?
I am very close with foreign players such as Thomas and Asani. And Shin Chang-moo approached me in a friendly way. He speaks English really well and treats me well. In fact, I don’t know all the players well yet because the K-League is not broadcast in Europe, but Bultuis, who played in Suwon, told me a lot. Bultuis is also my hometown. He has been in Korea for a long time and he gives a lot of advice like this.
What advice did Bultuis give you specifically?
Bultuis first told me that in the Netherlands, players fight a lot while playing, but that’s not the case here. And he told me to adapt to this. I was told that in Korea, you shouldn’t yell at someone in the face, but you should be respectful and courteous. This is something I have to adapt to.
I have a lot of experience in European stages such as the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, but I think being able to throw the ball in the right place to help Gwangju
can be a strength. Coaches emphasize possession, so this could help the team. And this is a style I’ve been doing since childhood in the Netherlands, so I’m familiar with it.
Also, I think I can contribute to the team in communication. I’m the type to talk a lot on the pitch. While talking, I give energy to my colleagues and get energy myself. I think that is the part that can help the team.
Coach Lee Jung-hyo said that the motto for this season was ‘attack’. As a defender, what was
your order? So when my team attacks or has the ball, my job is to prepare for the counterattack. As a defender, it would be an advantage if you were good at attacking, but the thing a defender should focus on the most is defence.
Let’s talk about Korea. How long have you been in Korea and how are you adjusting?
I came to Korea on December 27th. And as soon as I came to Gwangju, I immediately went to Thailand for field training and now I am in Jeju. You need to learn more about the new culture. Koreans seem to like having dinner together as a group. And I prefer warm Americano, but Koreans seem to like iced Americano (laughs).
Above all, Koreans seem to have manners. Compared to the Netherlands, this is the biggest cultural difference. As soon as I came to Gwangju, I felt many positive things.
I have experience playing in Hamburg, and Son Heung-min is also from Hamburg.
I heard about Son Heung-min at the club. When I was in Hamburg, many people in the clubhouse told me about Son Heung-min. Officials said that when Son Heung-min was in Hamburg, he practiced right-footed and left-footed shooting almost every day at the training ground with his father. Officials at the time said the sight was unfamiliar, and he couldn’t believe he could use both feet so well. It was the first time I heard about Korea.
And praised his mentality as well. People at the Hamburg club said Son Heung-min’s mental strength was the best they had ever seen. The sight of his father guiding, putting pressure and training is actually a strange sight for European players. European players are busy bragging on social media when they succeed even slightly, and sometimes neglect training. Judging from this, Son Heung-min’s professionalism and mentality are amazing.
Hwang Hee-chan also played for Hamburg.
He has never been on the same team and never had an opponent when he played for Leipzig. He was very strong and fast. And there are many good players in Korea. In addition to Heung-Min Son and Hee-Chan Hwang, Min-Jae Kim is doing a great job in Naples. He completely replaced Kali du Koulibaly’s presence. I saw him playing for Sassuolo, but Koulibaly is a really good defender. But now nobody feels the void of Koulibaly.
If so, please be the Koulibaly of Gwangju.
(Laughs) I will try. I am looking forward to it because it is my first time taking on a challenge in Korea. I will do my best.
