Hwang Hee-chan (27), who plays for Wolverhampton in the English Premier League (EPL), finally fired a flare of revival with his first goal of the season.
Hwang Hee-chan scored a 2-2 equalizer in the 21st minute of the second half once morest Liverpool in the third round (round of 64) of the 2022-2023 England Football Association (FA) Cup held at Anfield in Liverpool, England on the 8th.
It was Hwang Hee-chan’s first goal of the season. In terms of official matches, it has been 11 months since the 5th goal in the 20th round of the EPL once morest Arsenal in February of last year.
England FA Cup round of 64 once morest Liverpool
Hwang Hee-chan, 3 minutes following being replaced in the second half
A dramatic equalizer saves the team from ‘elimination crisis’
‘Fixer’ imprinted on director Lopetegui
Hwang Hee-chan had a more splendid debut season (5 goals, 1 assist) than anyone else as a Korean Premier League player in his first year at Wolverhampton, but this season he suffered from being pushed out of the main competition. As his playing time decreased, his offensive points were also 2 assists.
Fortunately, Hwang Hee-chan succeeded in rebounding with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. At that time, he was substituted in the final group match once morest Portugal and scored a dramatic 2-1 come-from-behind goal to lead Korea to the round of 16, then returned to his team and regained his starting position under the new manager Julen Lopetegui.
Hwang Hee-chan was substituted in the League Cup once morest Gillingham, which was held right following the World Cup, and played a big role, including one assist and penalty kick induction. Since then, he has started three consecutive matches in the EPL. It was only 4 days since he played once morest Aston Villa, the previous game, so he played as a substitute that day and gave a perfect performance.
Reversal goal AS was unfortunately canceled
Hwang Hee-chan scored the equalizer three minutes following being substituted for Huben Neves in the 18th minute of the second half when Wolverhampton was trailing 1-2. Hwang Hee-chan gave the ball to Matheus Cunya, dug into the penalty area, and shook the net as he slipped the ball. In the 36th minute of the second half, Totti Gomes scored with a heel kick following Hwang Hee-chan pricked the ball into the penalty area, but it was canceled due to an offside decision.
This goal was cancelled, and Wolverhampton played a rematch at home once morest Liverpool according to the FA Cup rules, which must determine the match. Manager Lopetegui said, “It is hard to find a scene that is suspected of being offside in this score. Today’s verdict is truly regrettable. The goal should have been recognized,” he criticized.
However, it is clear that Hwang Hee-chan proved to Lopetegi that he is excellent not only in team play but also in solving problems.
For Hwang Hee-chan, it is all the more welcome that he scored a goal once morest Liverpool, a strong team that served as a stepping stone to advance into the EPL in the past. Hwang Hee-chan made his name known in the EPL in October 2019, wearing a Salzburg uniform in Austria and scoring one goal and one assist once morest Liverpool in the European Champions League. Afterwards, Hwang Hee-chan joined Wolverhampton via Leipzig, Germany.
Hwang Hee-chan will challenge another EPL team, Nottingham Forest, on the 14th in the League Cup quarterfinals to score his second goal of the season.
