Kim In-sung, a striker for the Pohang Steelers in professional soccer, has been at the center of a "K League substitution blunder" for four days.
In the 35th round of the Hana One Q K League 1 match between Jeonbuk Hyundai and Pohang on March 28, there was a confusion in the substitution process that left Pohang with 12 players for a few minutes.
With an injured Kim Yong-hwan briefly leaving the field, Pohang named Kim In-sung instead of Kim Yong-hwan to replace Shin Kwang-hoon in the 26th minute, which confused the referees.
In the chaotic situation, not only Kim Yong-hwan but also Kim In-sung had to leave the field early as substitutes.
The chaotic nature of the match led to controversy over whether Kim In-sung and Shin Kwang-hoon were ineligible players at the time.
In fact, Jeonbuk sent a letter to Pohang requesting a post-match ban for the two and a 0-3 forfeit for Pohang, and the KFA is reviewing the matter.
In his first official match since the controversial game against Jeonbuk, Kim In-sung played in the semifinals of the 2023 Hana OneQ Korea Football Association (FA) Cup against Jeju United.
Trailing 1-0, he equalized with a picturesque, non-stop volley in the 15th minute to save Pohang from defeat.
Pohang held on to the lead until the end of regulation time, when they won 4-3 on penalties to punch their ticket to the final.
After the match, Kim In-sung met with reporters in the joint press area and said, "What's done is done. (I think that's the end of the controversy," he said, adding, "On the contrary, I think the fact that I played less then led to my physical fitness, so I was able to play a lot until the extension."
"On that day, coach (Kim Ki-dong) also told me that I would be in better shape for the FA Cup, and after playing today, I think it's true," he added.
His early departure from the field acted as a wake-up call to prepare his body for the FA Cup.
Coincidentally, Jeonbuk is the opponent in the FA Cup final on April 4 at home in Pohang.
"We want to lift the trophy unconditionally, and we have to get a result somehow," said Kim In-sung.
This season, Pohang has dominated their four regular-season meetings with Jeonbuk, winning three and drawing one.
"(Jeonbuk) changed coaches often, and I think we won every time," said Kim In-sung, "but I don't think it's going to be easy because they have so many good players and they're well organized."
However, he was confident of victory, referring to the final 10 years ago.
Pohang's last FA Cup win was in 2013, when they faced Jeonbuk in the final. After a 1-1 tie in regulation and overtime, Pohang won 4-3 on 스포츠토토 penalties to become the eventual winners.
"If Pohang wins at home against Jeonbuk again like they did 10 years ago, I think it will be another piece of history," said Kim In-sung.
"Shin Kwang-hoon's brother was at that game. He said it was similar to this time, and I hope the energy of that game will come to us," he laughed.
