As Incheon United prepares to play its first Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) match, captain Oh Ban-seok leaves a resolution. He firmly pledged to show Incheon’s strength in the Asian competition.
Oh Ban-seok started as a starter in the Hana One Q K League 1 2023 Round 30 home game against Jeju United held at Incheon Soccer Stadium at 2 pm on the 16th. Wearing the captain’s armband and playing as a member of the back three, he blocked Jeju’s offensive line and contributed to a 2-1 victory.
Oh Ban-seok, who met in the common coverage area (mixed zone) after the game, said, “It was a meaningful game because we won in an important match. It was a difficult game, but I think sometimes a win like this is good. “Even though I am not satisfied with the content, I am glad that the result came out,” he said in his thoughts about the game.
With only three games remaining until the final round, Incheon is on the rise. In the last 5 league games, they achieved 3 wins (1 draw, 1 loss), narrowing the gap with 3rd place Gwangju FC to 2 points. In addition, they remain in the FA Cup semi-final against Jeonbuk Hyundai and are likely to aim to secure ACL qualification for the second consecutive season.
Oh Ban-seok said, “The possibility is open. Sometimes the team is good, and sometimes it isn’t. “I think we can get good results if we put aside our greed and follow the natural path,” he said. “We are preparing for the ACL, but we must show a good performance in the league to continue the momentum.” “There is also a possibility of the FA Cup, so I hope the players will have a cohesive season.”
Incheon, which gained momentum with a dramatic win against Jeju, will play the first match of Group G of the ACL group stage against Japanese team Yokohama F. Marinos on the 19th. As the first ACL match of the club’s founding was approaching, the players’ will was exceptional, and captain Oh Ban-seok aimed for victory.
He said, “I think we are a squad ready for the ACL. Veteran players, including myself, who have ACL experience, are trying to communicate with younger players. “The trip to Japan will not be easy, but we will prepare well to get the points,” he said.
When asked about the group formation, he said, “I know very well that these are capable teams. However, the teams participating in the ACL are all capable teams. “We are preparing to bring results as we represent Incheon and the K-League,” he said.
Oh Ban-seok, the team’s captain and the center of the back three, is likely to play in the first match of the ACL group stage. If so, he will become the first player in Incheon history to wear the captain’s armband in an ACL game. As a captain, Oh Ban-seok placed importance on the ‘first step’.
He said, “It’s the 20th anniversary of the club’s founding, and I want to give meaning to this as the first step. You need to take the first step well so that you can show steady performance in the ACL. “It would be great if the results were good, but for now, I want to put aside my greed and prove that Incheon is competitive on the Asian stage,” he said.
Meanwhile, Incheon, along with coach Cho Seong-hwan and the secretariat, decided to provide ACL away airfare for players and fans. It was a gift for the fans who cheered ‘100 per day’ regardless of home or away.
안전놀이터 Oh Ban-seok said, “I am happy to be able to present victory to the fans who stayed until the end despite the rain. “If the fans watch Incheon with interest, we must repay them with results,” he said, expressing gratitude for the fans’ support.