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'Five years in Incheon already' coach Cho Sung-hwan
"Seeing the fans keeps me going"
Incheon United held its 2024 Incheon United Kickoff Ceremony today at the IGC Global Campus Auditorium in Songdo, Incheon.
With just over a week to go before kickoff, Incheon will begin its 2024 season journey on March 2 against Suwon FC at the Incheon Football Stadium.
Head coach Cho Sung-hwan said, "It seems like just yesterday that we had a departure ceremony last year, and now we have another one for the new season. Seeing the fans is inspiring. It gives us a new mindset to prepare well for the opening match against Suwon FC."
In preparation for the 2024 season, Incheon traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand, for a training camp. "As a coach, there is no such thing as 100% satisfaction. I wish we could have prepared for the season more perfectly,'' he said, "but I think we have to do our best under the conditions we are given. Last year, there were some good memories for the fans, but there were also some regrets. I think we can improve this year through various aspects such as our poor performance and away losses."
Cho is in his fifth season with Incheon. "This is my 10th year as a coach. I have attended nine K League media days so far, and every time I go, I think about whether I will be in this position next year. I have many thoughts and mixed feelings. I think it will be a season that will 토토 give us good memories if we walk towards our goal like the traditional fairy tale 'The Hare and the Turtle'. I think we will have to keep working hard this season and aim for bigger goals," he said, vowing not to settle for anything less.
"I'm not a manager in the same position as him, but I understand what he's feeling," he said, referring to Jürgen Klopp's recent decision to step down as Liverpool manager.
As for this season's goals, the team is determined. "Only Ulsan, Pohang, Jeonbuk, and us made it to Final A for the second year in a row. Last season, we had the last chance to qualify for the ACL Elite or ACL 2, but we missed it due to our own mistakes. I think we need to utilize continuity in that aspect and maintain our good performance without ups and downs," he said, clarifying Incheon's goals for this season.
"I'd like to see an average attendance of 10,000 or more, and I'd like to see some sellouts. I won't tell you what I'm promising, but if we achieve it, we'll try to organize a special event after the season," he said, adding that he would like to see more fans come to the stadium.