Q: Have there been any culture shocks?

A: Not really, I'm quite used to moving around between different clubs, different countries, but obviously, this is a little bit further and what I'm used to, different language. Mostly, people don't speak English. But I think it's been alright. You know, I have my translator with me. So helps me a lot. No, it's been very good.

Q: You must be pleased with how your debut went?

A: Yeah, of course. I mean, you come in and you try to make an impact. Yeah, I think I did that. So yeah, I think it's important to get a good start. For the team and for me, so I can't complain.

Q: Do you put pressure on yourself to score right from the off?

A: Well, of course, you have pressure and you put the pressure on yourself. I think you have to understand yourself that it can take time. And sometimes you don't score the first five games and then you score for five games. For me, I'm 28 now so I've been through it, both scoring the beginning and scoring in the end. So yeah, to be honest, I had to pressure myself but I know how it works.

Q: Likewise, Gangwon were one of the lowest-scoring teams last year, did you feel that expectation to be the guy to score goals for the club as the number 9?

A: Of course, I mean, there's a saying 'with pressure comes privilege.' So obviously it's a big pressure, but I think the reward is bigger if you do well, is a fantastic thing to do. And I think Gangwon last year was a bit unlucky with things I heard. I think it's a better team than playing a relegation. So no, really, I think it's a pressure but I like it. 

Q: How did the move to K League come about after spending all your career in Europe?

A: Well, I've been two years in Norway, had one year left in my contract and the offer came and I felt like I wanted to move and I think the K League is a good league. So to be honest, I thought about it a couple of days and after that it was just to take the step. I think that you do good here and you can take another step both in Europe and Asia. So I mean, you try develop every day. So, for me, it was quite easy choice.

Q: We have already had some famous Montenegro international strikers play here, did you speak to Dejan or Mugoša before you came?

Not really, to be honest. When I've been in the national team, I spoke a little bit more with Mugoša about the Korean League, not knowing that I will come here. So that's the only info I knew. But since I knew I was coming here, I didn't speak about it.

Q: How does K League compare to the other leagues you've played in, in terms of style and tempo and things like that?

A: I think it's difficult to say. I tried to compare and to be honest, I spoke this with my friends even spoke to one guy that plays in China and it's different, it's a different football, it's different culture. And one thing I will say is that the football in K League is very technical, I think every individual player is very technically skilled. Intensity is high. These two things I would say is that is the most what I've seen is the most highest quality. I think that tactically, Europe is a little bit better. I think that's an area where we should develop more. 

Q: What did you know about Gangwon FC?

Well, like you said it was a relegation battle last year, and I think that, that they tried to explain that they are not that low normally. And I think the new president (Lee Young-pyo) trying to build something with a long-term plan and obviously I'm one of the stepping stones in that. So yeah, to be honest, that was it. I think the president's name and record speaks for itself. And I think the club shocked me how professional they are. To be honest, you don't really know when you come from Europe how it is here, but I've been surprised, to be honest. Everything around the club is is working perfectly for me. 

Q: You seemed to strike up a good partnership with Kim Dae-won, even in just a short space of time.

A: Yeah, he's a fantastic player. I saw him straight away when I came to training camp. That's good movement, good technique, good finishing. So, yeah, I think he will get better and better during the season.

Q: What's Choi Yong-soo like to work with?

A: Well, I think he's demanding, very demanding. For me, I like it. I think he's honest. He will give you credit if you do well. And I think he will tell you that if you're not doing well. Tactically, I think, he's very good. Like what I said before about the league, that, tactically, can get better. I think he's one of them that is very good tactically. So no, fantastic. I think he's also been a striker so I'm trying to learn things from him also.

Q: Has he or anyone at the club spoken about specific targets for the season?

A: Not specifically, but I would say that from my feeling of what I've seen, and what I heard is that, obviously, when you try to be better than last year, but I think top half, if you call it like that would be a good result. And then for me, like, like you say, also you take one game at a time, and you try to win every game. And I mean, obviously, if you win every game, you win the league, but I think your goal should be to win every game, the next game so that's the goal. 

Q: Do you set targets yourself in terms of goals?

Well, I used to, I think it's difficult here because I'm not sure. Like, what's a normal number for a striker in this league to score? I also think this number will always change for me. So like, if say, now I didn't have a number. But say, if I had a number at the beginning the season, and I have a good start then obviously, that number should go higher. And I think, obviously, after 10 games, you don't score, you maybe have to lower that number. So yeah, I think you have to adjust your goal and the plan. So I don't have a number right n]ow. But I think that during the season I probably will have.

Q: We saw your goals being scored from good wing play and crosses into the box, it must be good for you as a striker to have that kind of service and play with width?

A: Of course, of course, and I think compared to my last club we have wing-backs that has the right foot on the right side and left-footed on the left side, and for me as a striker, that helps a lot. If you compare a winger that goes inside and probably will try to shoot by himself or play inside. So of course it helps a lot. 

KLeague.com would like to wish Dino a speedy recovery from injury and hope to see him back scoring again very soon.

Paul Neat
Editor-in-Chief