K League United

Since May 2022, I have written for K League United as a guest contributor and as a columnist since December 2022. I am the Pohang Steelers columnist, meaning I cover the activities and news of Pohang Steelers. Since Jan 2022, I have also been operating a X/Twitter account covering Pohang Steelers news, which has since grown to over 1,500 followers.

As of July 2024, I have also begun writing for Hong Kong Jockey Club as the K League Expert.

Featured Articles

For K League United, I have written feature stories, analytical stories and stories recapping portions of the season.

K League United | South Korean football news, opin • 4th August 2023

The Four Pohang Returnees That Feel Like Signings

Disclaimer: For the purposes of this article, we'll only be talking about players that are injured after the closure of the transfer deadline, which was on Wednesday, July 20.

Since the interview, Shin Kwang-hoon has joined the list of injured players, with Kim Yong-hwan (minor knee issue) and Go Young-joon (knee injury on international duty) also spending some time away. To explain how important these four players' returns will be, we must first make sense of their absence by looking into how

K League United | South Korean football news, opin • 25th June 2023

A Look Ahead at Pohang Steelers' Summer Transfer Window

The game plan changed in the second half, and Kim Gi-dong said of his players, "I'm thankful to these players for not giving up on the road, and preventing a loss. I think this is the Pohang mentality."

The Steelers have been the liaison for a number of last-minute equalizers and winners to opposing teams this season. Daegu FC, Gangwon FC, Jeonbuk Hyundai, Daejeon Hana Citizen, Jeju United and FC Seoul have all fallen victim to late Pohang goals that have come no sooner than the 89th-minute mar

K League United | South Korean football news, opin • 13th June 2023

The Moneyball of South Korean Football

The book and its movie adaptation are often referenced when professional sports teams like the Oakland Athletics — small-market and working on a tight budget — find ways to succeed despite the odds being stacked against them.

In the 2002 season that author Michael Lewis followed the Athletics, the New York Yankees held the best record in the MLB. Unlike the Athletics, the Yankees are regarded as a rich large-market team. Their 2002 payroll was the highest in the MLB and more than three times th

K League United | South Korean football news, opin • 22nd May 2023

Pohang's Best Eleven Through an Up-And-Down First Eleven

Through the first 9 matches of the season, the Steelers were the only remaining unbeaten team in K League 1. Their five wins and four draws meant they had 19 points and stood at second, behind defending champions Ulsan Hyundai. Kim Jong-woo, the Shin Jin-ho replacement, was playing well. Sim Sang-min was quieting his doubters after a questionable 2022 campaign. Zeca, the club's biggest signing in recent history, was contributing effectively even if he wasn't scoring goals.

It's now a crucial po

K League United | South Korean football news, opin • 24th April 2023

Mario Kvesić is a Star in Slovenia - What Went Wrong at Pohang?

Mario Kvesić is an attacking midfielder from Bosnia and Herzegovina and is a former youth international, having amassed 14 appearances across the U-17, U-19 and U-21 international teams. He was born in Široki Brijeg, a city located in modern-day Bosnia and Herzegovina. He currently plays in the Prva Liga, Slovenia's first division, for NK Olimpija Ljubljana, where they have been crowned champions of the 2022-2023 season.

Before joining Pohang Steelers on a free transfer in March of 2021, Kvesić

K League United | South Korean football news, opin • 21st January 2023

Replacing Shin Jin-ho: Pohang's Tall Task

Just a few months ago, Pohang Steelers ended their 2022 season on a high note. They finished third, qualifying for the AFC Champions League for the second time in three years, and had arguably the league's best midfielder at the club. At this point, fans likely could not have fathomed the possibility of their captain wearing anything other than the Steelers' horizontal red and black stripes until retirement.

That possibility became a reality in recent weeks, with both clubs announcing Shin's tr

K League United | South Korean football news, opin • 1st January 2023

Analyzing Pohang's Under-22 Situation for the 2023 Season

The K League made a decision in 2013 that required all teams to include at least one player under the age of 23 in matchday squads. The rules have evolved significantly since then, the age is now 22, and compliance with the rule allows for teams to make up to five substitutions.

Players born on or after January 1, 2001 will qualify as U-22 players for the 2023 season. For Pohang, this eliminates a few big names, narrowing down the list of players that could be used in this role. To start, let's

K League United | South Korean football news, opin • 6th May 2022

The Kang Sang-woo Transfer Timeline: What took so long?

Kang Sang-woo has come a long way in his footballing career. In the 2020 K League campaign, Kang Sang-woo registered 8 goals and 12 assists for Sangju Sangmu (Now Gimcheon Sangmu) and Pohang. His completion of military service and return to Pohang meant that he was able to help the Steelers finish in third place and with a spot in the AFC Champions League for the next season. In 2020 with Pohang, he played a key role in a star-studded squad that included Stanislav Iljutcenko and Aleksandar Palocevic.

Timely News

For KLU, I have also written timely articles, covering new signings and previewing key matchups.

K League United | South Korean football news, opin • 3rd October 2023

AFC Champions League Preview: Pohang Steelers vs Wuhan Three Towns

The match between Pohang Steelers and Wuhan Three Towns will take place on Wednesday, October 4, and kicks off at 7 p.m. KST (10:00 a.m. GMT). It will be played at the Steelyard in Pohang, South Korea. It will be the first meeting between the two clubs, as Wuhan is making their AFC Champions League debut in this campaign. Hosts Pohang Steelers are currently second in their domestic league, K League, currently eight points behind league leaders Ulsan Hyundai, who are in Group I of the ACL. Visito

K League United | South Korean football news, opin • 18th March 2023

Preview: Pohang Steelers vs Gangwon FC - Opposites set to attract at the Steelyard

Pohang Steelers are coming off the heels of a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Daejeon Hana Citizen. Ha Chang-rae, sporting the captain's armband, was sent off in the 35th minute for a professional foul against the last man. Gangwon FC is also coming off of a draw, a 1-1 affair against Daegu FC. While the Bears were not able to get a shot on target, a 25th-minute own goal from Daegu's Marcos Serrato was all they needed for their first point of the season.

The two sides have two common opponents fro

K League United | South Korean football news, opin • 5th January 2023

Pohang Steelers Sign Brazilian Midfielder Oberdan

It was announced today by the club that we have signed Brazilian midfielder Oberdan Alionço de Lima from Figueirense FC. The transfer is a one-year loan with an option to buy, as announced by the parent club. Figueirense plays in Brasileiro Série C, the third tier of Brazilian football, though they played in Série B as recently as the 2019-2020 season and Série A in 2015-2016.

Born on July 30, 1995, in Pinhais, Oberdan Alionço de Lima, referred to as Oberdan, is 27 years old. He is right-footed

X/Twitter

On X/Twitter, I not only post updates on the club by translating from Korean to English, but also work on aggregating Korean news into English so that it is easily digestible by the English-speaking fanbase of Korean soccer.

Tweets by Pohang_EN