The return of loanee Hwang Eui-jo (Nottingham) to the club leaves FC Seoul without a frontline presence. In the middle of the season, when the race for the top spot is in full swing, Seoul has a new challenge.
Seoul drew 0-0 with Daejeon Hana Citizen in the 20th round of the Hana One Q K League 1 2023 at Seoul World Cup Stadium on January 1.
It was the second goalless draw of the season after a 0-1 away loss to Daegu FC on March 4. It is the first silence at home. With more than 20,000 fans in attendance at the home game, the disappointment of a goalless draw is understandable.
For Seoul, it was a game that saw the return of Hwang Eui-jo to the team.
After three consecutive years in Split B, Seoul has been cruising since the start of the season, and a big reason why they are able to compete in the top half of the table is because of Na Sang-ho, who has eight goals and two assists.
Along with Na Sang-ho, loanee Hwang Eui-jo has led Seoul’s offense.
After struggling to compete for a 안전놀이터 starting spot after moving to Olympiacos last summer, Hwang joined Seoul last winter, looking to rebound. Seoul hoped the addition of the national team striker would bolster their offense.
Hwang scored four goals and provided two assists in 18 games before his short-term loan deal with Seoul ended on March 30. While his offensive output didn’t meet expectations, his presence on and off the field was significant.
He kept the ball up front and contested with opposing defenders, creating chances for the likes of Na Sang-ho, Willian, and Kim Sang-hyeop. In defensive situations, he also contributed greatly to the team’s defense with his dedication up front.
Coach Ahn Ik-soo was full of praise for Hwang, saying, “The things he did on and off the field were the best.”
In the first match after Hwang’s departure, Seoul and coach Ahn Ik-soo were disappointed with their front line. Ilyuchenko, who started, and substitute Park Dong-jin worked diligently in front of the goal, but their shots were inaccurate and didn’t come to fruition.
On the flanks, Na Sang-ho, Willian, and Kim Sang-hyeop, who have been a big part of Seoul’s offense this season, also struggled to get going in Hwang’s absence.
In the end, Seoul dominated the game against Daejeon but couldn’t find the finishing touch up front to take the three points. After the match, head coach Ahn Ik-soo said, “Of course, it’s good to have (Hwang). But Ilyuchenko, Park Dong-jin, Lee Seung-jun, and Willian did their best not to feel his absence. We’ll be better than we are now,” he said, adding that he misses Hwang Ui-jo.
Seoul has felt Hwang’s absence, but it’s hard to expect a new face anytime soon. “There are no additional signings yet,” Ahn Ik-soo said ahead of the match against Daejeon. For Seoul to be competitive in the tight race for the top spot, they’ll need to figure out how to increase the destructiveness of their front line without Hwang.