By Cho Mu-hyun
Kim Nam-il and Seol Ki-hyun held a press conference formalizing their move to the K-League’s Incheon United, Tuesday.
In the conference at Incheon City Hall, the two veterans who were central during the 2002 World Cup games co-hosted by Korea and Japan expressed their wish to work as support for the younger players of their new club.
“Ten years ago (during the 2002 World Cup) I may have been a star, but now the younger players are the pillars, and I will act as their support,” said Kim.
“I am counting largely on (Seol) Ki-hyun. I hope he becomes the center of the team and leads them,” added the 34-year-old.
Kim was expected to head for the J-League earlier this month after he ended his contract with Russia’s Tom Tomsk. But he changed his mind and joined Incheon largely due to the persuasion of United manager Huh Jung-moo, who “made me what I am now,” according to the midfielder.
Seol, who ended talks with his former team Ulsan Tigers on Jan. 10, has been aggressively pursued by Huh as well.
“I will work hard for the development of the K-League and the team,” he said. “I believe it is the duty of a player to perform well to attract more fans.”
The 32-year-old was confident about United’s chances this season, saying “I will make Incheon a more advanced club than last year. I will live up to our fans’ expectations.”
Huh has pursued the two players since early January, while the new signees said during the interview that he was the main reason for their move. The manager collaborated with both players during his tenure as national team manager, and has a close bond with the new signees that started with the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
“There are many young players in Incheon. I hope the experiences of Kim Nam-il and Seol Ki-hyun spread through the younger ranks,” said the 57-year-old.
Incheon ranked fifth and earned a spot in the playoffs in 2009 out of the 16 professional clubs, but have declined recently in performance. They ranked eleventh in 2010 and thirteenth in 2011.
Though Huh did not conceal his expectations for the two, he said that he held the entire responsibility for last year’s mediocre performance. He pointed out that the younger players lacked stamina near end, which he hoped his new management will help to improve.
The collaboration of the three is expected to draw many fans to Incheon’s new home stadium, Sungeui Arena Park, to be completed February
The three left for Guam where the club is busy with their spring camp training in preparation for the season that begins in March.