Heungkuk Life head coach Marcello Abondanza (53) is optimistic about the team’s increased competitiveness.
Heungkuk Life will host Pepper Savings Bank in the first round of the Dodram 2023-2024 V-League at 4 p.m. on Nov. 22 at Incheon Samsan Gymnasium.
Heungkuk Life is on a two-game winning streak after opening the season. After winning their opening match 3-0 against Korea Expressway Corporation, the team defeated Hyundai E&C 3-2 in their previous match. With five points, Heungkuk Life will look to make it three in a row in their home opener.
Pepper Savings Bank’s Joe Trinzi and Abondanza are both foreign managers. “We talked about it at the event, but we’ll have to wait and see,” Trinzi said of the first meeting.
On Lee Won-jung’s knee, Abondanza said, “It’s still sore. Sometimes it’s okay and then it’s not okay again. He’s not 100%, but he’ll be there for the game.”
“It’s not easy to be fully prepared for every game,” Abondanza said of the Korean league. We also need to work on our technical training and reinforcement, and I think we will have to play the league while considering those things. We need to prepare individually rather than trying to understand the situation of each club.”스포츠토토
On Pepper Savings Bank, he said, “This is our third match and we need to understand each other as we go through the league. It’s more about understanding than attacking. We also need to get to know what kind of play our team can do.
“Basically, with the introduction of Asian quarters, the level has gone up a lot,” Abondanza said of the changes this season. Wipawi Sithong (Hyundai E&C) and Mega Watti (Jungkwanjang) played well. With the introduction of Asian quota players, domestic players can rest and compete for the same positions,” he said.
“You can only improve if the level around you increases. In an acclimatized environment, growth is slower. There has to be a balance and the homegrown players have to be given a chance. But rather than thinking, ‘I’m going to play,’ I need my opponents and those around me to grow and improve. Also, if you are playing, you are playing because you are hungry to play,” he added.