Koreans in Europe: Hwang In-beom scores first goal for Red Star Belgrade

Hwang In-beom [AFP/YONHAP]

Hwang In-beom scored his first goal for Red Star Belgrade on Saturday, adding the final goal in a 3-1 win over Mladost Lucani in the Serbian SuperLiga.

Red Star, officially Crvena Zvezda, took an early lead at home in Belgrade in the eighth minute, only for the visitors to tie things up with a goal two minutes later.

After a deadlocked first half, Red Star pulled ahead again in the 67th minute, with Hwang adding one more in the 88th to secure the win.

Hwang joined Red Star Belgrade in September this year after pushing to leave Greek club Olympiacos, where he had ended up after his contract with Rubin Kazan was cut short by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Despite reported interest from Rangers, Inter Milan, Napoli, Frankfurt and Monchengladbach, Olympiacos refused to release Hwang until the very end of the transfer window and Red Star ended up being the team of choice.

Red Star are a bastion of eastern European football. As the most successful team anywhere in the Balkans or southeast Europe, they enjoy the support of nearly 50 percent of the Serbian population and have won the Serbian SuperLiga for the last six consecutive seasons.

Red Star are also a regular presence in UEFA competition, and will be back in action on Wednesday as they host reigning champions Manchester City in Belgrade. Hwang In-beom is likely to make the squad for the fixture, having started every Champions League game so far this season.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]