Kuala Lumpur: Let's take a look at one of the AFC Champions League 2016 key players, Yeom Ki-hun of Suwon Samsung Bluewings, as we await the Group Stage which kicks off Tuesday.
KEY PLAYER: YEOM KI-HUN – Suwon Samsung Bluewings
AFC Champions League Record
Appearances: 34
Goals: 13
PROFILE
Notching up more assists than anyone else in the K-League last season, Yeom Ki-hun is among the most creative players to come out of Korea Republic in a generation.
Since joining Suwon in 2010, Yeom has made a name for himself as a dead ball specialist with his trademark curling left-foot free-kicks making him a firm fans’ favourite at the Suwon World Cup Stadium.
And Yeom’s impressive K-League form last year helped Swuon claim back-to-back runners-up spots as they fell just short of their first title since 2008 but secured a return to the AFC Champions League for the second successive year.
On the international scene, meanwhile, Yeom has represented his country 51 times and was a part of the 2010 World Cup squad. But it wasn’t until June last year that he recorded his first goal for the national side in a 3-0 friendly win over the United Arab Emirates.
IMPORTANCE TO TEAM
Yeom’s AFC Champions League record is nothing short of exceptional as he has racked up 13 goals in just 34 games including two in last year’s campaign before Suwon were ultimately eliminated by Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol in the Round of 16.
And if Suwon are to be among this year’s contenders for the continental title, Yeom’s dazzling free-kicks, eye for a pass and silky ball skills are certain to be among the reasons why.
ONES TO WATCH
Young star Kwon Chang-hoon continued his impressive 2015 K-League season with more plaudits for his performances in midfield at the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship. Brazilian forward Santos remains the main threat going forward, while highly rated left-back Hong Chul knows what it takes to win the AFC Champions League having done so in 2010 with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.
Source: the-afc.com