The 2024 season is starting to heat up in South Korea. With a scheduled debut in early March, the K-League 1, the country’s top division, has already set its first matches, promising plenty of excitement.
One Brazilian player who is excited for the new season is Yuri Tanque, who plays for Jeju United. Born in the interior of Goiás and raised in Minas Gerais, in the city of Nova Era, the Brazilian was his team’s top scorer in the K-League 1 in 2023 and the 6th top scorer in the league, being the third Brazilian.
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Throughout the year, he scored 11 goals and provided 4 assists in 37 matches played in the league and the Korean Cup. He shared his expectations for the new season:
“I have returned very excited and with high expectations for this new season. The first year, which is usually a more challenging time requiring adaptation, was very good for me. Now that we are settled in the country, I declare that it will be an extraordinary year with even more surprising numbers, in Jesus’ name. I want to compete for titles and everything the club aims for,” said the striker.
However, to adapt well to the busy schedule of games, Yuri Tanque believes that a good preseason will be extremely important. This is because the Brazilian’s team has undergone changes, both in its coaching staff and its squad, including the arrival of two more Brazilians. In Korea, the preparatory period for the competition lasts about two months, which Yuri sees as a positive aspect.
“Changes require adaptation. That’s why we need time for everyone to understand each other’s characteristics, and we have plenty of time because the Korean preseason lasts almost two months. We will use this time for physical preparation, improve our teamwork, understand the tactical movements of the new coach aiming for an excellent season, in Jesus’ name,” concluded the number 9.
Jeju United will make their first appearance in the K-League 1 2024 on March 2nd, away from home against Gangwon, aiming for an initial victory. The match kicks off at 4:30 am (Brasília time).
Career
Yuri was born in Goiás, in the city of Porangatu, but lived his entire life in Minas Gerais, in Nova Era. In Brazil, he played for clubs like Ponte Preta, Coimbra, Ferroviária, Capivariano, and Guarani, with more prominence in the latter two, where he scored 17 goals and provided assists in 37 games in 2022.
In addition to these clubs, he also had two stints abroad, at Gainare Tottori in Japan (2019), Leixões in Portugal (2021), and Jeju United, his current club. In his youth career, he played for Cruzeiro, Atlético Mineiro, and Ponte Preta.
