Behind the Pohang Steelers of the professional soccer K League 1, who were in crisis due to a long losing streak in the second half of the 2024 season but bounced back with a winning streak, there is the performance of 'backup goalkeeper' Yoon Pyeong-guk.

Pohang defeated Shanghai Haigang (China) 3-0 in the second leg of the 2024-2025 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite (ACLE) League Stage home game held at Pohang Steel Yard on the 1st, with consecutive goals from Wanderson, Hong Yun-sang, and Han Chan-hee in the second half.

This is Pohang's first win in ACLE this season, having lost 1-4 in the first away match against Shanghai Shenhua (China) on the 17th of last month.

Pohang, which was also competing for the lead this season, suffered a severe crisis after suffering six consecutive losses in K League 1 until the middle of last month and then a crushing defeat against Shanghai Shenhua. 

However, they took a breather after winning back-to-back games against Gangwon FC (2-1) on the 22nd of last month and Incheon United (1-0) on the 27th, and then turned the mood around 180 degrees by defeating Shanghai Haigang, the winner of last season's Chinese Super League and the current leader.

In particular, Shanghai Haigang is a team boasting 'tremendous firepower', having scored 89 goals in 27 Chinese league games this year, while Pohang recorded a shutout with an iron wall defense led by goalkeeper Yun Pyeong-guk's 'save show'.

Shanghai Haigang, led by striker Gustavo, who previously played for Jeonbuk Hyundai in the K League 1, and Brazilian national team midfielder Oscar, launched a fierce attack in the final minutes of the first half, but eventually lost their momentum as they were unable to get past Yun Pyeong-guk.

At the press conference, coach Park Tae-ha specifically mentioned Yoon Pyeong-guk's saves as the "driving force behind the victory," saying, "If it weren't for his saves in the first half, it would have been a difficult game." 

Yoon Pyeong-guk, whom we met later, smiled and said, "I'm glad that I was able to contribute to the three consecutive wins. The whole team's will to win led to the consecutive wins."

He said, "The coach did a lot of video analysis while preparing for the game. He even sent me a personal message urging me to watch the videos, and I think that was a factor in our victory." He continued, "The opponent was a very strong team, but our strategy was to hold out as long as possible in the first half and wait for them to tire in the second half, and it worked out well when we scored a goal in the second half."

Yoon Pyeong-guk is a backup goalkeeper who was not able to play in any matches this season, but was suddenly brought in for the match against Gangwon after the team's losing streak continued until the match against Shanghai Shenhua.

As the losing streak continued, Pohang took a bold step by changing their starting goalkeeper from Hwang In-jae to Yoon Pyeong-guk starting with the Gangwon match. It was not an easy decision to make at the end of the season.

Before the Gangwon match, Yoon Pyeong-guk's last appearance in K League 1 was in June 2022. He has not appeared in many other competitions in the meantime.

Coach Park said, "I thought really deeply about replacing the goalkeeper. Hwang In-jae's performance in the first half of the season was crucial for our team to get to this point, so I couldn't easily let go of that regret." He added, "It was a painful decision to make after losing streaks, but it was ultimately a good decision."

Yoon Pyeong-guk said, "When I first went to the Gangwon match, I felt a lot of pressure, so I thought a lot about taking it easy. The coach also told me that it was important to stay calm and play safely," and added, "I'm approaching it with the mindset of playing with a sense of stability, based on what I learned from watching the game and practicing when the team conceded a goal." 

Yoon Pyeong-guk's record for the most appearances in a single season was 26 games for Gwangju FC in K League 2 in the 2019 season, and in K League 1, he made the most appearances in 18 games in 2022, when he first wore the Pohang uniform.

Last year, he didn't play in any league matches at all, and this year, he only started playing at the very end.

Although he has spent most of his career waiting for an opportunity, he accepts it as his 'athlete's fate'.

Yoon Pyeong-guk said, "As a player, my mindset is to work hard regardless of whether or not I get a chance before I retire, and to do my best when the opportunity comes."

"I'd be lying if I said this was a good situation. It's not easy," he said. "I always want to be a starter, but that's not something I can do. I just have to quietly endure and prepare for various situations."

Yoon Pyeong-guk then expressed his determination, saying, "We have achieved the goal of advancing to the Final A, which the coach mentioned, and since the overall atmosphere has definitely improved, I think we will do well in the remaining competitions, including the final round and the Korea Cup finals. I will also prepare well."

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