Kim Kwang-seok, Shin Hwa-yong and 4 others join ‘Hall of Fame’…commemorative magazine and music also released
14,000 fans cheer in heavy rain…’Youth player’ Ko Young-jun celebrates victory with final goal
Pohang Steelers ’50th anniversary’ commemorative match, full house
(Pohang = Yonhap News) Yoon Kwan-sik waves a 50th anniversary banner during the 2023 Professional Football Hana One Q K League 1 match between the Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Hyundai at the Pohang Steelyard on May 29. 2023.5.29.메이저놀이터
(POHANG=Yonhap News) Choi Song-ah = The Pohang Steelers, a storied professional soccer team, celebrated its 50th anniversary in style.
On May 29, the 15th round of the K League 1 match between Pohang and Jeonbuk Hyundai at Pohang Steel Yard was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Pohang’s founding.
Pohang is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, having started as an unemployed soccer team of Pohang Steel in 1973.
The club turned professional in 1984 and has contributed to the development of Korean soccer, opening the country’s first soccer stadium in 1990 and building a clubhouse in 2000.
The club has won the K League title five times (1986, 1988, 1992, 2007, 2013), the Korean Football Association (FA) Cup four times (1996, 2008, 2012, 2013), and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League three times (1997, 1998, 2009).
Pohang Hall of Fame inductees (from left) Kim Kwang-seok, Shin Shinh-yong, Hwang Jin-sung, and Hwang Ji-soo.
[Courtesy of the Korean Football Association. Resale and DB prohibited].
Prior to the game, the Steel Yard hosted the club’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
In honor of the 50th anniversary, Hwang Ji-soo, Shin Shinh-yong, Kim Kwang-seok, and Hwang Jin-sung, all of whom played more than 10 years and 200 games for Pohang, were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Previously, in 2013, on the 40th anniversary, Park Tae-joon (Contributor), Han Hong-ki and Lee Hoe-taek (Leader), Park Kyung-hoon, Lee Heung-sil, Choi Sun-ho, Gong Moon-bae, Lee Young-young, Park Tae-ha, Hwang Sun-hong, Hong Myung-bo, Radeh, and Kim Ki-dong (Player) were inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame, and four more players were added to the Player category after 10 years.
Hwang Sun-hong to play in Pohang Steelers’ 50th anniversary game
(POHANG = Yonhap News) Hwang Sun-hong, head coach of the Hangzhou Asian Games U-24 football team, attends the 2023 Professional Football Hana One Q K League 1 match between the Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Hyundai at the Pohang Steelyard on May 29. 2023.5.29
In addition to the four new Hall of Fame inductees, “legends” including former coach Lee Hoe-taek and Olympic team coach Hwang Sun-hong were on hand to celebrate the 50th anniversary.
Pohang organized a variety of events, including the publication of a 50th anniversary magazine that captured the history of the club, and the release of the 50th anniversary club song, “Let’s Run for Victory – We are Steelers,” featuring players and supporters.
Grant’s shot
(Pohang = Yonhap) Yoon Kwan-sik attempts a shot during the 2023 Professional Football Hana One Q K League 1 match between Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Hyundai at Pohang Steelyard on May 29. 2023.5.29 psik@yna.co.kr
Pohang players wore special jerseys inspired by the team’s first year of existence. The colors represented the orange glow of the muddy water.
A performance by Pohang high school singer Jeon Yoo-jin, who appeared on the TV program “Tomorrow is Mistrot 2,” also livened up the atmosphere.
Despite the heavy rain, 14,377 spectators gathered at the Steel Yard to cheer and wave to the players.
Coach Kim Ki-dong, one of the club’s Hall of Fame inductees, said, “I was inducted into the Hall of Fame 10 years ago, but time flies. As I see the new juniors coming in, I hope that the players will think of the team and have affection for it even if they go elsewhere, as they have shared a lot in this team.”
’50th anniversary goal’
(Pohang = Yonhap News) Go Young-jun of Pohang celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the 2023 K League One professional soccer match between the Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Hyundai at Pohang Steelyard on May 29. 2023.5.29
Coach Kim said, “I think the players will feel proud just to be a part of a team with history and tradition. I told the players to take pride today and do a great job.”
In the match, former youth player Ko Young-jun scored the winning goal in the 21st minute of the second half to give Pohang a 1-0 victory, capping off the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Coach Kim Ki-dong said, “I’m glad we won in front of many fans on an important day and at an important time. It was the same in the last match, and the game against Jeonbuk is always key, but I think the players gained confidence with today’s victory,” he said, adding, “If we don’t get complacent, we can keep the momentum going.”