“We will prepare well to make it easier for our fans to return to Incheon.”
Incheon United head coach Cho Sung-hwan made the promise to fans at a pre-match press conference, one day ahead of the club’s 2023-2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) Group G first leg against Yokohama Mariners (Japan) at the Yokohama International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, at 7 p.m. on June 19.
Incheon qualified for the ACL for the first time in its history after finishing fourth in the K League One last season. With excitement and anticipation in the air, fans will be traveling from Japan to support the team. According to Incheon officials, 588 fans have booked away tickets as of Sunday.
“I am always grateful to the fans,” Cho said. I feel a sense of responsibility when I think about them coming to support us not only in the K League but also in the ACL,” he said, promising the fans that he will prepare well so that they can return to Incheon with a lighter step.
He continued, “It is a meaningful ACL stage on the 20th anniversary of the club’s founding. We will do our best to bring joy and happiness to the fans,” and then added, “Some players have experienced ACLs and some have not. It’s an international match, so I asked them to approach it with a challenging attitude. In addition to the technical and physical aspects, I emphasized the mental aspect. I ordered imagery training,” he said of his preparation.
Yokohama won the J1 League last year and have a strong lineup. Coach Cho said, “I know their strength is their rear buildup. I think they have solid fundamentals and skills, and I think that’s why I signed Nam Tae-hee.” “They might not be in good shape because they’re away, but I think they’ll be able to handle it because they’re mentally prepared. Regarding the roster, we are preparing to send out the most fit and experienced players.”
Mugosa “Jupo” Mugosa played in the J1 last year for Bisselgobe. “I don’t have any specific orders,” Cho said. He also traveled to the Montenegro national team this month, so I just gave him a situation to 안전놀이터 adjust his condition due to fatigue,” Cho said. “However, he has been playing Japanese soccer for about a year, so if he plays, I expect him to show his strength of decision-making in this match.”