Pelatih FC Seoul, Kim Ki-dong, menegaskan timnya tidak boleh lengah demi mempertahankan posisi puncak klasemen saat menjamu FC Anyang dalam lanjutan pekan ke-12 K League 1 2026 di Seoul World Cup Stadium pada Selasa, 5 Mei 2026.
Klub ibu kota Korea Selatan tersebut saat ini mengoleksi 25 poin hasil dari delapan kemenangan, satu hasil imbang, dan dua kekalahan, meski tren positif mereka baru saja terhenti akibat kekalahan 2-3 dari Gimcheon Sangmu pada laga sebelumnya.
Ambisi untuk tetap berada di jalur juara disampaikan langsung oleh Kim Ki-dong yang merasa puas dengan capaian tim sejauh ini namun tetap menuntut peningkatan performa dari para anak asuhnya.
"Now the first rovin is over. I'm really satisfied. "As people work, I keep getting greedy," he said. "It wasn't a game that I couldn't beat at home in the previous game. "I was disappointed that I would be in a better situation if I beat Gimcheon and hit it," ujar Kim Ki-dong, Pelatih FC Seoul.
Mantan pelatih Pohang Steelers tersebut memberikan peringatan keras kepada skuadnya agar tidak cepat berpuas diri dengan posisi saat ini demi target yang lebih besar di level Asia.
"You may not understand why the coach was scolded when the players were doing well, but if we are complacent, we cannot dream bigger. It won't improve. In the meantime, he has advanced to the AFC Champions League (ACL) at best while staying in the middle. You shouldn't be satisfied for a bigger goal," kata Kim Ki-dong, Pelatih FC Seoul.
Terkait kondisi tim, Seoul mendapatkan suntikan tenaga dengan kembalinya Cho Young-wook dan kembalinya Lee Seung-mo ke susunan pemain utama di tengah jadwal padat yang menanti mereka di markas Jeju SK dan Gwangju FC.
"About three players, including (Cho) Young-wook, returned today. (I)Seungmo will also start. After today's game, Jeju SK and Gwangju FC are away. Motivation of the players in today's game is important, but we need to pay attention to physical management as well," tutur Kim Ki-dong, Pelatih FC Seoul.
Pertemuan kontra Anyang memiliki tensi tinggi karena sejarah rivalitas kedua klub yang berakar dari kepindahan pangkalan LG Cheetahs di masa lalu, di mana rekor pertemuan kedua tim saat ini berimbang dengan masing-masing satu kemenangan dan dua hasil imbang.
"It's a team with a lot of good players. The entire team is strong and plays hard. Key players are missing, but synergy of domestic players should be considered. He said, "I'm sure I have a color," ucap Kim Ki-dong, Pelatih FC Seoul.
Menghadapi sisa empat pertandingan sebelum jeda Piala Dunia, Kim menekankan pentingnya konsistensi karena persaingan di klasemen K League 1 saat ini sangat ketat di semua lini.
"There are four games left before the World Cup break. I think I shouldn't lose," kata Kim Ki-dong, Pelatih FC Seoul.
Pelatih berusia 52 tahun tersebut menambahkan bahwa tidak ada pertandingan yang mudah di liga saat ini, bahkan saat melawan tim penghuni dasar klasemen sekalipun.
"There is no easy game. Currently, Gwangju is at the bottom of the league, and other teams are fiercely competing in the rankings. Luck is also working that day. We can't let our guard down," pungkas Kim Ki-dong, Pelatih FC Seoul.
