Each team in the K-League woke up from a long hibernation and began quenching for the new season. Cheonan City FC, which is challenging the professional stage for the first time this season, also started to make a team, and there are specially invited players for this position.
Patula Rahmat (20), who plays for Tanjong Pagar United in the Singapore Premier League, and Ong Yuen (19) of Tampines Rovers are the main characters. They participated in Cheonan City FC training from the 26th to the 30th of last month, and from the 2nd to the 5th of this month, they trained with Incheon United U-18 team, Suwon Samsung U-18 team, and experienced Korean soccer.
Their training in Korea this time was arranged by the two players’ local agency, Lookbook Sports. Currently playing as a starting player for a club in their home league, and players who are consistently selected for the under-20 national team, he said that he had a strong desire to experience the training system of Korean teams, which are powerhouses in Asian soccer.
On the 4th, I had a written interview with the two players. We asked about the differences between Singapore and Korean team training, thoughts on the ongoing ASEAN Quarter in K-League 2, and willingness to challenge the Korean stage in the future. The following is a Q&A with the two players.
What motivated you to visit Korea?
Patula: Through the youth team, I came into contact with Korean soccer players naturally, and after that, I was always interested in Korea, not only soccer, but also Korean culture and K-wave. In the meantime, a good opportunity to train with Korean teams through agency came to visit.
UN: While focusing on individual training ahead of the pre-season, I was told that I could train with the K-League and youth teams. So he expressed his intention to come to Korea without hesitation. He did not want to miss it because it was a great opportunity to personally feel the status of Korean football.
After actually training, what is different from training in Singapore?
(The time of the interview is after training with the Cheonan and Incheon U-18 teams and before the Suwon U-18 team training)
Patula: First of all, Cheonan City FC, whom I trained with last week, had very intelligent players and was quick at the moment. Quick decision-making and tempo control were required throughout the training. It was a good opportunity for me to realize the importance of stamina and concentration because I always had to concentrate and be conscious of my surroundings. Also, since Cheonan was in the pre-season, they put a lot of emphasis on physical training, and while training with their players, I could feel why they could play in a high-level league called K-League 2. In the case of the Incheon U-18 team, who trained next, there were many drills that raised the sense of the ball. Also, despite being a youth team, there were many players who were physically strong. The infrastructure such as training facilities was good, and I could feel the unity of the players through the culture such as team meals.
UN: Overall, it was a pre-season, so there were a lot of sessions to intensively improve your stamina. It was much more intense and the tempo was faster than what I encountered in Singapore, but with the help of the players and coaching staff I trained with, I was able to adapt quickly. The Incheon U-18 team had a lot of tactical and technical training, such as quick air and defense switching, pressure, and positioning. I was impressed with the detailed details and feedback, and the youth system was also systematically equipped, so I could see why Korean soccer is strong.메이저사이트
There is no player who has been very successful through the K-League ASEAN Quarter yet. What do you think is the reason?
Patula: After experiencing this time, I thought it might be difficult to adapt to because the flow and tempo of the game are relatively fast. He felt that it was fast-paced in all respects, and that he needed to be strong not only technically but also physically to be successful. I am well aware of Asnawi, who is doing great with Ansan Greeners, and I personally think it is a good example of how positive the ASEAN quota can be. Through this training, I was able to briefly experience the elements to succeed in the K-League, and I want to be reborn as a better player by supplementing these parts.
UN: The level of the K-League is very high. So, in order for Southeast Asian players to be successful, they must excel in many aspects. And not only the high level of the K-League, but also many other factors such as Korean culture, language, and weather have a great influence on a player’s adaptation. I think that if more Southeast Asian players experience various things at a younger age, their chances of success will increase.
Conversely, there are Korean players who are active in the Singapore League. What did you feel while competing with them?
Patula: Before naturalization, Korean players such as Song Eui-young and Kim Shin-wook have always had unique charms and strengths. In particular, I learned how to use my body and maintain my balance by looking at its strengths. If there is a chance to face many Korean players in the upcoming season, I will try to catch various advantages well. I want to color it to match my style and become a player who grows more.메이저사이트
United Nations: Shinwook Kim and Euiyoung Song have a lot to learn from and many players in Singapore look up to them as role models. I also learned a lot from playing both players. The mental strength, winning mentality, and physical aspects of Korean players are the parts that I felt I had to experience and accept from my youth representative days.
Although he is young, he is already a regular in the Singapore club. Do you want to gain more experience and challenge the Korean stage?
Patula: I think I have to work harder every year because I’m still learning and as a player, I’m not even close to my goal. Through this journey, I want to compete with many players in good faith, become a better player, and challenge the Korean stage someday. It was a short time, but I am having a really good experience in Korea. If there is an opportunity to challenge myself in Korea in the future, I want to seize it.
UN: For many Southeast Asian players, playing in Korea is a great honor. I want to go back to Singapore and develop even more, and I hope to meet the players and coaching staff I trained with this time again.
The AFF Mitsubishi Cup is currently underway. Southeast Asian football fever is hot. What do you think is needed to develop overall performance?
Patula: Although there is a difference in height and physique compared to players from East Asian or European countries, I think that mental strength and physical strength can be overcome through hard work. If that happens, I think we will be able to repay our fans with good matches not only in the AFF Mitsubishi Cup, but also in other international competitions.
UN: I agree with the idea that if the mental and physical parts are improved, the performance will definitely improve. And what I felt through participating in this training was that if the strengths of Korea’s youth system were well introduced, more high-quality players could be produced. This will lead to improved performance in the long run.