PETALING JAYA: K-dramas and K-pop may be extremely popular in Malaysian culture but don’t expect every South Korean footballer to take to the Super League like fish to water.
Selangor’s new winger Kim Ji-ho could be an example of that, even as he shares the same surname as coach Kim Pan-gon.
Having featured in South Korea’s top division for Seongnam and Suwon Samsung Bluewings, the 23-year-old was expected by many to make a seamless transition to Malaysian football.
But after two matches with the Red Giants, Ji-ho has admitted that his first stint here has been anything but straightforward.
He made his debut in Selangor’s 1-1 Super League draw against Terengganu on Feb 1, before featuring in the Malaysia Cup quarter-final first leg against Negri Sembilan on Feb 8.
“I’m slowly acclimatising to how things are done here in Malaysia. This is my first time away from South Korea, so I need to adjust to the weather and environment,” said Ji-ho, who joined Selangor on loan from Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
“Compared to South Korea, I feel that the Malaysian league is physically challenging. The intensity is high as well. That is the main difference.
“I found it tough in my debut against Terengganu in the Super League but I’m grateful to my teammates and coaches for helping me to settle in.
“But it’s still early days, and I can’t complain.”
Ji-ho now hopes to play a key role in the Malaysia Cup last eight second-leg clash with Negri at the Petaling Jaya Stadium today with the hosts holding a 1-0 lead.
With his pace and relentless work rate, he could provide the cutting edge Selangor need against the Deer and help propel them into the last four.
