Steelers look to continue winning momentum under new management

The Pohang Steelers celebrate winning the 2023 Korean FA Cup at Pohang Steelyard in Pohang, North Gyeongsang on Nov. 4, 2023. [NEWS1]

The Pohang Steelers are looking to build on a strong 2023 campaign as the K League returns next month.

Under former manager Kim Gi-dong — who left the team to join FC Seoul in December last year — the Steelers had a remarkable run in the 2023 campaign, finishing the league as runners-up and winning the 2023 Korean FA Cup.

The Pohang side also reached the 2023-24 AFC Champions League round of 16 as the only unbeaten K League team with five wins and one draw in the group stage.

Now it is up to new manager Park Tae-ha to maintain the momentum from last season. As multiple new players have joined and some of the key players have left the team since the end of last season, Park will have to craft a new XI before the Steelers go back in action.

A noticeable absence in attack is Zeca, who was the team’s top scorer with 12 goals in 37 league matches in the 2023 season. Midfielder Kim Seung-dae, the team’s captain for last season, also left the team, in addition to two key center-backs Alex Grant and Ha Chang-rae.

The Steelers, however, have beefed up their squad to fill in those vacancies.

As the aggressive football that saw the team scoring the third most goals, at 53, was one of the reasons behind the Steelers’ success last year, the team brought in experienced forward Jorge Luiz from K League 2 team Chungbuk Cheongju FC.

The Brazilian forward earned a place in the K League 2’s season Best XI last year with his pace and strong physique, all good attributes when it comes to fitting into the Steelers side this year.

Versatile midfielder Kim Gyu-hyeong, who is able to play as a winger or attacking midfielder, also joined the Steelers alongside defenders Lee Dong-hee, Eo Jeong-won and Cho Seong-jun.

Cho’s ample experience could add more quality to the Steelers’ new defense lineup. The 33-year-old veteran has made 252 appearances in the K League 1 and 2 combined.

The Steelers will have a busy schedule this year if they reach a higher stage of the Champions League knockout stage, as it will overlap with the 2024 K League season.

The 2023-24 Champions League runs from September 2023 through May 2024, while the 2024 K League campaign runs from March to winter of the same calendar year.

The Steelers will play the opening match of the 2024 K League season on March 1, with the team facing defending champions Ulsan HD in Ulsan.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]