Mugoša Magnificent Start Makes it Consecutive EA Sports Player of the Month Awards
After helping his side to a stellar start this season, Incheon United Stefan Mugoša saw his performances earn the EA Sports Player of the Month for February and March. Not only did the Montenegrin forward score three times in the first two months, but each goal also proved decisive in claiming nine points for Incheon and helped propel them into early title contention behind Ulsan Hyundai.
Mugoša then went on to further prove his importance to the club with another four goals in April and a well-earned lead in the K League's Golden Boot table, picking up the EA Sports Player of the Month Award for April as well, making it the second time he has picked up this award on consecutive occasions.
Furthermore, having already started May strongly with another four goals to his tally, Mugoša shows no sign of stopping yet!
Gimcheon Sangmu's Kim Kyung-min Picks Up Gatorade G Moment for April
When he was played through by his teammate Lee Young-jae, Kim Kyung-min still had plenty to do with half the length of the pitch in front of him and Seongnam defenders closing in. Continuing to drive the ball forward, Kim cut in between two defenders before turning back inside and then dribbling it around one more before unleashing his shot to score his first for the season and the game's opener.
Of the 10,725 who voted, 64.1% chose the Gimcheon Sangmu's forward's mazy run as their Gatorade G Moment for April, over Seongnam FC's Kim Min-hyeok. It is also a second consecutive award for Gimcheon, with forward Cho Gue-seung picking up the trophy for March.
K League Sides in Action on the Continent
K League 1 made way for the AFC Champions League after nine rounds with the continental competition's group stages being held in isolated bubbles across the likes of Thailand and Vietnam. K League once again had four club representatives including top tier outfits Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Ulsan Hyundai and Daegu FC while, the second-tier side Jeonnam Dragon became the first K League 2 club to play in the competition after winning last year's FA Cup.
After an intense schedule that saw Asia's best face-off in six games played over two weeks, both Daegu FC and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors progressed to the knockout rounds of the tournament, with the two K League teams set to face one another for a place in the quarterfinals later this year.
Daegu went through as group leaders having seen off competition from the likes of Lion City Sailors, Urawa Reds and Shangdong Taishan whereas Jeonbuk went through as one of the best runners-up going unbeaten across the six matches.
While Ulsan Hyundai were unable to progress through a difficult group, Jeonnam Dragons bowed out holding their heads high, having competed admirably against the likes of BG Pathum United, Melbourne City and United City.
April Player Interviews
Cesinha on Daegu's Champions League ambitions
"Of course, I think that every team that plays that Champions League thinks they can go to the final and the goal is to be the champion. We are not different. The target is the final and we hope the team can get better. Football is like that - you never know.
"But if you look at all the games we lost in the season and last season we always lose in the details and we want to correct that so we can go as high as possible. But I think Daegu has a strong team to achieve great things in the Champions League.
"It is also a very special year for the club. Daegu is completing 20 years and I want to give a special year for the fans by going as high as possible in the FA Cup, in the Champions League and in the K League."
Read the full interview here.
Paik Seung-ho on Jeonbuk's ability to fight back
"Last year we had a very similar situation in the middle, but there was a pretty big difference in points back then. Back then, I thought it might not be easy but I found it's not like that for senior players or players who have been in Jeonbuk for a long time. If you look at their mindset and preparation, they, incredibly, looked calm and cool as normal, believing that good results will come to us as long as we don’t give up but remain focused on our own preparation and our games. In that regard, I think it’s the club’s DNA that played part in last season’s success. Overall, senior players and the players who have been around for a long time at the club led the team well, remaining calm in those difficult times."
Read the full interview here.
