The Pohang Steelers, a stalwart of professional soccer tradition, celebrated their 50th anniversary in style.
The K League 1 Round 15 match between Pohang and Jeonbuk Hyundai at the Pohang Steel Yard on Sept. 29 was held to commemorate Pohang’s 50th anniversary.
Pohang is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, having started as an unemployed soccer team of Pohang Steel in 1973.
The club turned professional in 1984 and has contributed to the development of Korean soccer, opening the country’s first soccer stadium in 1990 and building a clubhouse in 2000.
The club has won the K League title five times (1986, 1988, 1992, 2007, 2013), the Korean Football Association (FA) Cup four times 메이저사이트 (1996, 2008, 2012, 2013), and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League three times (1997, 1998, 2009).
Prior to the match, the Steel Yard hosted the club’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary, Hwang Ji-soo, Shin Shinh-yong, Kim Kwang-seok, and Hwang Jin-sung, all of whom played more than 10 years and 200 matches for Pohang, were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Previously, in 2013, on the 40th anniversary, Park Tae-joon (Contributor), Han Hong-ki and Lee Hoe-taek (Leader), Park Kyung-hoon, Lee Heung-sil, Choi Sun-ho, Gong Moon-bae, Lee Young-young, Park Tae-ha, Hwang Sun-hong, Hong Myung-bo, Radeh, and Kim Ki-dong (Player) were inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame, and four new members were added to the Player category after a decade.
In addition to the four new inductees, “legends” including former coach Lee Hoe-taek and Olympic team coach Hwang Sun-hong were on hand to celebrate the 50th anniversary.
Pohang organized a variety of events, including the publication of a 50th anniversary magazine that captured the history of the club and the release of a 50th anniversary club song, “Let’s Run for Victory – We are Steelers,” featuring players and supporters.
The Pohang players wore special jerseys inspired by their original uniforms. The colors representing the orange glow of the muddy water were restored.
A performance by Pohang high school singer Jeon Yoo-jin, who appeared on the TV program “Tomorrow is Mistrot 2,” also livened up the atmosphere.
Despite the heavy rain, 14,377 spectators gathered at the Steel Yard to cheer and wave at the players.
Coach Kim Ki-dong, one of the club’s Hall of Fame inductees, said, “I was inducted into the Hall of Fame 10 years ago, but time flies. Seeing the new juniors coming in, I hope that the players will think of the team and have affection for it even if they go elsewhere, as they have shared so much with this team.”
“I think that just being a part of a team with history and tradition makes the players feel proud. I told the players to take pride today and do a great job.”
In the match, youth player Ko Young-jun scored the winning goal in the 21st minute of the second half to give Pohang a 1-0 victory, capping off the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Coach Kim Ki-dong said, “I’m glad we won in front of many fans on an important day and at an important time. It was the same in the last match, and the game against Jeonbuk is always key, but I think the players gained confidence with today’s victory,” he said, adding, “If we don’t get complacent, we can keep the momentum going.”
