S. Korean striker looking to maintain red-hot form next year

By Joo Kyung-don

INCHEON, Nov. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean striker Hwang Ui-jo said Wednesday that he wants to maintain his red-hot form next year.

Hwang returned home after playing two friendly matches for South Korea in Australia. South Korea played to a 1-1 draw with Australia and demolished Uzbekistan 4-0 in their international friendlies. The Gamba Osaka striker scored a goal in both matches.

Hwang has been showing red-hot form since the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia, where he was the top scorer of the tournament with nine goals in seven matches and led South Korea's under-23 side to a gold medal. He took that form to the J. League and the international campaign with the senior team.

"I'm playing with more confidence," Hwang said to reporters at Incheon International Airport. "After the Asian Games, I was able to maintain that goal-scoring touch and that boosted my confidence level, which led me to score more goals."

Hwang now has four goals in his 17 international appearances. Although his overall figures may not be impressive, three of his four goals have come in the last four matches under new head coach Paulo Bento. No player has scored more goals than Hwang since Bento took over the helm in August.

This year, he has so far netted 33 goals across all competitions with his club and the national team. The 26-year-old said he wants to score more goals next season.

"I hope I can get more scoring opportunities next year," he said. "I will work harder to show better performance."

With his recent jaw-dropping goal poaching instincts, some fans compared him to Hwang Sun-hong, regarded as one of the best South Korean strikers of his generation. Hwang Sun-hong retired with a record of 50 goals in 103 international matches.

"It's just a big honor for me to be compared with Hwang Sun-hong," Hwang Ui-jo said. "I've been growing up watching Sun-hong's game, and I will try to become a player like him."

kdon@yna.co.kr
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