‘The Second Coming of Malkeng?’ Thiago, leading the uptrend in Gyeongnam: Sports Donga

Gyeongnam FC Thiago. photo courtesy of | Korea Professional Football Federation

K League 2 (Part 2) Gyeongnam FC’s Brazilian striker Thiago (29) has a hot toe every day. Gyeongnam Province, which had been in extreme slump, also climbed with Thiago’s scoring streak.

Gyeongnam won 3-2 in the away match once morest Ansan Greeners in the 13th round of the ‘Hana One Q K League 2 2022’ held at Wa Stadium in Ansan on the 3rd. Gyeongnam, which has won 2 league games in a row, has moved up the ranking to 6th with 4 wins, 2 draws and 6 losses, and 14 points.

Thiago, who contributed two goals and one assist, was the main factor in the victory. In the 18th minute of the first half, he assisted Chung Chung-geun’s opening goal, and in the 38th minute of the second half, he threw himself inside the penalty area to score an additional goal. In the second half of extra time, the score was 2-2 by allowing another equalizer, and a witty right-footed shot from a Hernandez cross took the lead in a 3-2 victory.

Thiago has recently scored a goal in three consecutive K League 2 matches (5 goals) and in four official matches including the FA Cup (6 goals). During this period, Gyeongnam is doing well with 3 wins and 1 loss. Although the number of appearances is small due to the late joining of the team and the suspension of sending off at the beginning of the season, he has scored 6 goals in 7 games and is proudly ranked first in the scoring rankings. He is scoring goals using his feet as well as a header using his 188cm tall. He has good synergy with his teammates with his ball-keeping ability.

Thiago is reminiscent of Malkeng, who led Gyeongnam’s promotion to K League 1 (Part 1) in 2017. At the time, Malkeng scored 22 goals in 32 matches with his natural athleticism and goal sense, and Thiago’s scoring pace is more than that as of this season. Gyeongnam were weighing the signings of Malkeng and Thiago ahead of the 2017 season. Thiago might not accompany him due to his will to challenge in the first division of Brazil, but this season, he is at the forefront of Gyeongnam’s upward trend.

Gyeongnam coach Seol Ki-hyun praised, “There was no target-type striker until last season, but Thiago is playing that role well. Thiago said, “I have scored 17 goals in a season, and I want to break that record. I need the help and victory of my teammates,” he said, not hiding his desire to score.

Reporter Lee Seung-woo [email protected] More articles by the reporter