The dream of promoting Anyang is near forever
There's veteran fullback Kim Dongjin
His dream of promotion is near forever. At the center of it is the run of a three-year veteran full-back.
This is what K League 2 FC Anyang left back Kim Dong-jin 32 is saying.
Anyang is currently leading the league among 13 K-League 2 teams after playing nine to 10 matches per team. Notably, the team has recorded six wins, two draws and one loss 20 points in nine matches, and failed to surpass Anyang in 10 matches with six wins, one draw and three losses 19 points as Suwon Samsung lost 1-2 to Seongnam FC on Tuesday. For Anyang, the team is riding the early wind by maintaining its lead even though it played one less game.
Matheus, who exploded four goals, Dan-rey, who scored three goals side by side, and Kim Un's firepower are a big driving force behind Anyang's unexpected lead, but fullbacks who are constantly running from the side and running through offense and defense are also considered Anyang's strength.
Among them, Kim Dong-jin, now in his 11th year in the K-League, is considered to be more mature this year. Having entered the K-League through Daegu in 2014, he played for the Asan Mugunghwa, Daegu and South Gyeongsang Province, before joining the Anyang team in 2022. He accumulated a lot of offensive points, which is unusual for a side defender with eight goals and six assists in 62 games between 2022 and 2023, attracting much attention even at the age of 30.
However, despite acquiring FA status last winter, he rejected other teams' love calls and chose to accompany Anyang. He played many games in Daegu in 2016 and Gyeongnam in 2021, but after coming to Anyang, he played as an undisputed starting member for two years, and was at his peak after joining the professional league. Anyang's regretfu l bow at the promotion threshold also gave him the reason to wear the purple uniform again. 토토
Kim Dong-jin is said to have risen further this year, his third year in Anyang. Anyang mainly adopted the back three tactics until last year. Kim Dong-jin also tended to play more forward as he played the role of a wingback. There were not a few attack points.
This year, when head coach Ryu Byung-hoon took the helm, Anyang is using 1004, and Kim Dong-jin's range of activities has widened accordingly.
Despite this, analysts say Kim Dong-jin's dedication is turning into Anyang's Unsung hero. Notably, he consistently overlapped with his solid defense in the match against Jeonnam on April 28, embarrassing his home team and contributing to the team's victory. He is also the most skilled K-League 2 full-back player in de-pressing and building up.
He missed two games due to a calf injury at the beginning of the season, but has played all seven games since then starting five games and is preparing for a "summer match" that will determine the success or failure of K League 2.
It remains to be seen whether Anyang's promotion will realize his determination to blossom his soccer life again in the K League 1.