ACL Final: Kashima Antlers Goalkeeper Aims to Make History

The Japanese side heads into the second leg of the 2018 final with a 2-0 lead over Persepolis of Iran, and another positive result at the Azadi Stadium will see Kwoun add to the two titles he won with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2006 and 2016.

The 34-year-old insists he is not distracted by such individual achievements though, and is instead focused upon capitalizing on the chance to become a champion in Asia’s premier club competition with his teammates.

“I haven’t really thought about that (becoming the first three-time winner), but it was my decision to come to Kashima and win the ACL. That will be a personal record, but I will only think about that kind of thing if we are able to win the title as a team.

“There were 10 years between the first and second times I won the ACL. There have been times when I had enough passion to win the title but couldn’t make it, and one time we won I knew a player who had played for 23 years but never appeared in the ACL. When you think about that, being able to play in the ACL has huge meaning and to have the chance of playing in the final you have to go through a number of struggles,” the Korean added.

Kwoun was just 22 when he picked up his first ACL winner medal, and he feels he is now in a better position to appreciate such moments as he enters the twilight of his career.

“Back then I had a long time left to play football, but now the time is limited. The time I have left to play is less than that which I have already been playing for, so I cherish every minute and am thankful for every moment. Also, personally, I do not want to regret anything after retirement. So the main difference between now and then would be how I use every minute of my time.

“I hope the individual players can make use of every single moment to win the title. We have all been waiting for this moment as a team, as have the Kashima fans. I’m aiming for nothing but to fight until the end to win the title,” Kwoun said.