Chung-Ang University head coach Oh Hae-jong won his first collegiate title. He is determined to reach even higher heights.

Chung-Ang University defeated Jeju International University 4-1 in the final match of the 59th Autumn University Football League Baekdu Grand Final at Taebaek Sports Complex in Taebaek, Gangwon Province, on Sept. 26. With the win, Chung-Ang won its first title in four years and fifth overall (1965-1971-1985-2019-2023) since 2019.

After the game, Coach Oh said, “I would like to thank the players from the bottom of my heart for going through the difficult qualifiers. We had our ups and downs. We lost one game in the group stage. The players became stronger as they went through the difficulties. They gained the confidence to say, ‘We can do it.

Chung-Ang got off to a bad start. They lost to Yongin University 1-0 in the first match of Group 7. However, the team won back-to-back games against Chonnam National University of Science and Technology (6-0) and Kangseo University (1-0) and entered the tournament at the top of the group. In the round of 16, they defeated Ulsan National University 1-0. In the quarterfinals, they defeated Incheon National University in penalty kicks. In the quarterfinals, they defeated Myongji University 2-0 to reach the final.

Our final opponent was Jeju International University, and it wasn’t easy. The two teams battled fiercely in the midfield. Chungang broke through. Yoon Jae-seok’s goal in the first half gave them a 1-0 lead. However, in the 16th minute of the second half, Nam Ki-sung of Jeju International University equalized to tie the game at 1-1. In the moment of crisis, Chung-Ang University showed its concentration. Just a minute after the concession, Kang Hyo-on scored to make it 2-1. Buoyed by the momentum, Chungang University scored back-to-back goals by Kang Hyo-on in the 24th minute and Park Jung-hoon in the 27th minute to seal the victory.

“I’ve been coaching in high school for 20 years,” said Oh. I came to the college stage after winning the high school championship. I dreamed of winning a championship. It’s been a year and a half since I came to college. We won the championship quickly, but we have to work hard to keep it going. In college, a coach’s job is not only to teach in training, but also to analyze every game and give feedback.” Oh took the helm of his alma mater Chung-Ang University in December 2021.

The future is bright. Chung-Ang saw the strength of its first-year freshmen in the tournament final. Coach Oh used five members of the class of 2004 in his starting lineup. He said, “The idea is to play better kids who compete equally on the field regardless of their grade. It was an opportunity for the freshmen. They worked harder because they wanted to go pro as soon as possible. I know the players have to play ‘good faith’. I think I’ve improved over time,” he said. 안전놀이터

“I think soccer is really endless. The more you do it, the harder it is. I’ve been coaching for 25 years, and I’m realizing that it’s harder and harder for 25 years, and it’s harder if you don’t try and study. This is the beginning. I am a beginner in the university stage, but I will continue to work hard to make Chung-Ang University a top team,” he gritted his teeth.