Jesse Lingard, a former England national team member, is making a unique gesture at a press conference to join FC Seoul held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 8th.
This is the ‘Jesse Lingard (FC Seoul)’ effect. All tickets for the 2024 season opening match between professional soccer K-League 1 Gwangju FC and Seoul were sold out in less than 3 minutes.
Gwangju will hold the 2024 Hana Bank K-League 1 2024 1st round home opening match at Gwangju Soccer Stadium on March 2 at 2 p.m.
According to the Gwangju club on the 28th, tickets for the home opening game this morning were sold out in 2 minutes and 30 seconds, boasting huge popularity. Gwangju increased the number of seats from 7,500 last year to 7,700 this year, and attracted attention as all tickets were sold early.
Gwangju Soccer Stadium, where professional soccer team Gwangju FC played against Jeonbuk Hyundai in the 31st round of K League 1 on the 24th. A sold-out cheering squad for an undefeated streak of 11 games.
Gwangju, which took 3rd place in K-League 1 last year and caused a sensation, had an average attendance of 4,513 in the 2023 season, and it is expected that close to 8,000 spectators will flock to the home opening game.
Above all, an interesting match-up took place even before the home opener. Coach Lee Jeong-hyo’s Gwangju and coach Kim Ki-dong, who has newly taken charge of Seoul, will be competing against each other.
In particular, Seoul is causing a sensation by bringing in Lingard, a former England national team winger who played for Manchester United in the English Premier League (EPL) ahead of this season.
Lingard recently joined the training camp in Kagoshima, Japan, and is improving his physical condition and improving his practical sense. Although he is not yet at 100% fitness, he will likely make his debut for fans before Gwangju.
FC Seoul coach Kim Ki-dong is whispering with Gwangju FC coach Lee Jeong-hyo after finishing the ‘Hana Bank K League 1 2024 Media Day’ held at the Grand Ballroom of The Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 26th.
At a recent media day, Coach Kim said, “If Lingard’s stamina does not improve, the entire team may suffer,” and added, “After careful consideration, we will decide whether to select him or not.”
The momentum of the home team, Gwangju, is just as strong as that of Seoul.
Gwangju lost defenders Timo and Aaron, but brought in Cho Seong-kwon, Byun Jun-su, and Popovich to fill the void. Midfielder Choi Gyeong-rok from the German Bundesliga was recruited to replace national team midfielder Lee Sun-min. The addition of Gabriel and Viktol from Brazil added weight to the offensive line.
The battle of wits between the two commanders is also interesting. The leaders representing the league, coaches Lee Jeong-hyo and Kim Ki-dong, have always shown mutual respect.
At Media Day, coach Kim Ki-dong declared war, saying, “Coach Lee Jeong-hyo, the game will not go as you intended,” and coach Lee Jeong-hyo also expressed his determination not to back down, saying, “I will prepare with thoughts outside of common sense.” 일본야동