Unknown talent wins Nike ticket

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Unknown talent wins Nike ticket

Posted : 2015-04-16 15:43

Updated : 2015-07-03 18:57

Kim Ho-seung demonstrates a volley after he became the finalist of the 2015 Nike Most Wanted Korea tryout at Paju National Football Center in Gyeonggi Province, April 12. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

By Nam Hyun-woo

PAJU, Gyeonggi Province ― Often statistics or records do not explain everything. This applies to Kim Ho-seung, the Korean finalist in the 2015 Nike Most Wanted, the sportswear brand's global football talent search.

Kim, 16, grabbed the chance to earn a coveted spot at the Nike Academy, a football academy run by the company, after winning the 1:100 competition at the program's Korea trial at Paju National Football Center on April 12.

Kim will join other finalists from other countries for the "Nike Most Wanted Global Showcase" at St. George's Park in England on April 30. The winners in England will join the academy, which has sent its undiscovered talent or released players to several Europe-based clubs.

Through this process, Moon Seon-min in 2010 and Yoon Soo-yong in 2013 moved to the Swedish clubs Ostersunds FK and Djurgardens IF, respectively. (Moon was part of the program when its name was The Chance.)

"When I get to England, I'll be a little nervous, but I'd like to talk to them first," said Kim. "Until I get there, I will do my best at training and return to Korea after I have won a spot in the academy."

Participants of the 2015 Nike Most Wanted Korea tryout battle for the ball during a practice game at Paju National Football Center in Gyeonggi Province, April 12. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Kim is a second-year student at Boin High School in Seoul, known for nurturing many quality footballers, including Mainz 05 midfielder Koo Ja-cheol. But Kim was not a favorite talked about among program officials, because he neither has prize-winning experience in domestic juvenile football nor plays as a regular in his school team.

He showed fine performances in a skills test and a SPARQ test, which evaluates a player's speed, power, agility, reaction and quickness, before a 10:10 scrimmage among 20 chosen players. But all eyes were on the other players who boasted decorated juvenile careers.

However, as the scrimmage started, he contributed to his side with his delicate touch and vision, though he played as a midfielder, not in his usual position of left-fullback.

As he dribbled past some four or five opponents in the front line during the second half, Korea Football Association coaches who evaluated the players became interested.

"I believe coaches highly appreciated that," Kim said when asked how he felt about becoming the finalist.

During the scrimmage, which saw seven goals, other contenders, including Ha Seung-woon, who scored twice during the practice game, filled the score sheet with their names. But the coaches highly praised Kim's contribution over the entire game.

"My school coach recommended that I sign up for this program and I didn't really expect that I could win here," said Kim. "I suffered a slump last year. I was so disappointed in myself, and also my father worried about me a lot. So I want to let my father know this first."

What Kim seems to need is more confidence. During an interview with the coaches, the teenager seemed shy in making eye contact. Ha Geum-jin, the under-20 women's national team coach and one of the three coaches who oversaw the competition, said Kim needed more aggressiveness in his play.

Kim cited TSG Hoffenheim left-back Kim Jin-su as his role model, adding that he initially played at left-wing but withdrew to the backline because he knew a left fullback is wanted by many scouts and believes he has more potential in that position.

While Kim is enjoying his academy chance, 99 others who had to return home expressed remorse.

"I thought I would make it," said player No. 9, who refused to give his name, after failing to be chosen for the 20-player scrimmage.

Since 2010, the program has provided training opportunities to thousands of undiscovered footballers. Last year, eight finalists from seven countries joined the academy's squad.

namhw@koreatimes.co.kr