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Hwang In-beom scored one goal and one assist in the 'strongest' match against Manchester City

Zvezda Hwang In-beom is competing.
It confirmed its competitiveness.

Hwang In-beom, who is playing in Serbian professional football Zurbena Zvezda, started in the final Group G match of the 2023-2024 UEFA Champions League (UCL) group against Manchester City at Stadion Zurbena Zvezda in Belgrade, Serbia on the 14th and scored one goal and one assist.

He scored in two consecutive official matches. Hwang scored his debut goal in Serbia in the 17th round of the Serbian Super League on Saturday, and he continued his momentum. He scored his first goal and first assist in the UCL against Manchester City, the world's strongest team.

 a brilliant skill

Having started his professional career with Daejeon Citizen (currently Daejeon Hana Citizen), Hwang played for Vancouver and Rubin Kazan (Russia). After nestling in Olympiacos (Greece) last year and playing for one season, he transferred to Zvezda in September. He joined after six league games due to contract issues with Olympiacos. However, Zvezda who was active in recruiting new players gave him an immediate chance, and Hwang quickly settled in. His participation in the UCL provided him with an opportunity. Hwang gained experience by starting in all six UCL group matches.

In the match against Manchester City, Hwang In-beom's skills exploded. He tried several sharp passes in the midfield and impressed him with his bold attack development. Zvezda, who was inferior in power, chose a counterattack strategy after defense, and Hwang In-beom led the counterattack with an awl pass. Then came the opportunity in the second half, when the team was losing 0-2. Hwang In-beom, who exchanged passes with Osman Bukari in the 31st minute of the second half, fired an accurate left-footed shot into the net.

In the extra time of the second half, he even added help. He passed Aleksandar Katai's accurate pass. Zvezda was defeated 2-3 but Hwang In-beom did not give up until the end, getting involved in both goals. According to UEFA, Hwang In-beom ran 72.6 km in six group matches. With an average activity exceeding 12 km, he firmly defended Zvezda.

Soccer statistical media Sofa Score gave Hwang 8.4 points in grading. Another statistical media outlet, Fuscoord &com, also gave Hwang 8.0, the highest ratings of both teams. He was also named the Most Valuable Player (MOM). He displayed good performance in various pass indicators, including five key passes (passes that lead to opportunities to score points), 48 touches, 80 percent pass success rate, and one critical chance creation.

"The match against Manchester City was enough to sum up our Champions League journey. It is difficult to put pressure on a strong team like Manchester City," coach Barak Khabar Zvezda said. "We have many chances in the second half. We are proud of our players who did their best."

Zvezda Hwang In-beom is tackling.
 Until the Asian Cup

As Hwang maintains his peak performance, Korean national soccer team coach Jürgen Klinsmann also smiles. Hwang, who was appointed under former coach Paulo Bento, has definitely settled down in the Klinsmann team as well. He played in all matches except for the A-match in October when he left the team due to an internal muscle injury. Unless something unexpected happens, he is most likely to join the Asian Cup

He will leave for off-season training in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, on March 2, and European Hwang In-beom will also join the team. He will have an exhibition game in Abu Dhabi on June 6, and will head to Qatar on June 10, a battleground state. He will try to win the title at the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, which will take place in January next year, for the first time in 64 years since 1960.