K리그1・2의 최신 소식을 모두 확인 할 수 있는 공간입니다.
First of all, what was it like to play in the playoff game against Buriram United? There was such a dramatic end to that game.
"It was a very strange game for us but we're very happy because, in the end, I looked up at the scoreboard, and it was 1-0 to Buriram and I was like ‘Okay, this game is over.’ And then Lamas gave me a great pass, and what a pass it was, and it was so good to score. It was kind of unbelievable how we scored that and that's why I celebrated so much in that moment."
How would you assess Daegu's start to the new season?
"Overall the team is doing very well. It's just some games that we’ve missed that we could have won. But if you look back, Daegu will always start like that. We always have hard games in the first five games and then start to pick up for the season."
And how about your own contributions?
"I’m not happy because I could do better. But the team is doing well. I am happy with the goal against Buriram and that was a great game."
What gives your more satisfaction, scoring or assisting?
"Assisting. It's great when I give an assist because I can see the joy on my teammate. But of course, I like it when I get my own goals, but I like to give assists more. When I’m not scoring well, I’m always worried that I have to score, I have to score but when I give an assist it makes me happy too."
How far can Daegu go in K League this season?
"If we play well, and we win the games that need to be won against the big teams, we can really be in the top three."
What's the new manager like to work with?
"In the case of Alexandre Gama, it is easy of course because I can understand what he wants from me (more). We speak the same language so it's much easier. Every coach that arrives, has a new idea and as a team, we have to help him and we have to help his style.
"With the last coach, he believed in me and made me captain. He gave me a lot of liberty to do whatever I want on the pitch. But Gama wants me to stick more in front to be able to shoot from there. I’m a player who likes to take the ball and go to score. But Gama wants me to stay and wait for the ball. So that's a little bit hard for me but I’m getting used to it. But he's a great coach and it’s just the beginning. We hope that everything goes well with the team."
What are your thoughts on the ACL Group Stage draw? You have Lion City Sailors from Singapore, Shandong Taishan from China, and Urawa Reds from Japan.
"I believe that it is a strong group but if we work well and don't lose points [by conceding] at the end of games, I believe we can go and advance to the next stage."
Were you hoping you would get Dejan's team?
"I was actually hoping to play against him and I still hope we can. He's a great friend of mine that I made in Korea. He is a legend and it was easy actually to play with Dejan, he scores a lot of goals and was great to play with because he has had an experienced playing career and everyone knew him.
"And with Dejan, it took a lot off from my shoulders because everyone knew him in Korea as a legend. If you look, I scored 18 goals with Dejan because he is very smart, a great teammate and I had the freedom to play. People would not only chase me, but they would also have to chase Dejan. He was a great friend I made in Korea."
When you joined Daegu in 2016, when the team was in K League 2, did you imagine that you would win the FA Cup and qualify for the Champions League not once but three times?
"Of course, I was not expecting that but in the first interview I gave, I said that I want to make history in a Daegu shirt. And now the history is happening, you can see it happening and thanks to God every day I am closer to achieving that. So I am very happy with what the team has achieved and what I have achieved."
How much difference do the Daegu fans make? You played in front of full stadiums in 2019 in ACL, but in 2021 games were played behind closed doors.
"When we play at home, the team always has support. Daegu is so strong, but in Uzbekistan (in 2021) it was a little bit different because we didn't have the fans with us. But always, the fans support us, they send messages and tag us on social media and it's great. Of course, the team could have gone further in ACL 2021, but unfortunately, we didn't make it. But the team and fans are always together, sending messages, sending gifts, wherever they are. It's really great but when we play at home it is a really different feeling."
How far can Daegu go in ACL?
"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."
How about you? Do you have any personal goals?
"The goal is always to give my best either scoring goals or giving assists. But if Daegu achieves a great season this year is also good for me. So that's my personal goal, to help Daegu achieve a great season this year."
You are always top or one of the top players in K League in terms of shots outside the box, has this always been part of your game?
"My strong suit always was like scoring from outside the box. But now the new coach wants me to go a little bit more as a forward (and not an attacking midfielder) and wait for the ball and then score. I’m getting adjusted to that but I think I will be well soon and scoring."
Do you have a favourite ACL goal that you scored?
"My favourite goal was in 2019 against Melbourne Victory when Edgar passed it to me. It was a great goal that I can't get out of my head. And also, it was my first appearance in the Champions League and if you score a goal like that, it’s an amazing feeling."
Would you say that game was your favourite too?
"I liked the goal against Melbourne. But you know, a great game for me was Guangzhou at home. They had one or two of best players in Brazil, that’s Paulino who played in Barcelona, and Talisca who is a great player too. And of course, they were a big team at that time. But you know, Daegu played very well and they surprise everyone, scoring three goals but it could have been more so that was my favourite ACL game."
Paul Neat & Khaleby Gomes
