Kim Young-gwon scored the equalizer in the 27th minute during the Group H match against Portugal in the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on December 2, where South Korea beat Portugal 2-1, advancing to the last 16, where they face Brazil on December 5.

Who is Kim Young-gwon?

Kim Young-gwon, a South Korean professional football player who was born on February 27, 1990, competes for Ulsan Hyundai and the South Korean national team.

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Jeonju is Kim’s hometown. He wasn’t a highly sought-after talent when he was in middle school because coaches thought his small stature was a liability. When national youth team manager Hong Myung-bo spoke to Kim’s team at his high school, Kim started to think about turning pro.

Kim participated in futsal and collegiate football for Jeonju University. He took part in the Korea Football Association’s Futsal League in 2009, where he won both the championship and the most goals. His futsal background really benefited his technical abilities.

Universiade was Kim’s first international competition. He competed for the South Korean Universiade team in the 2009 Summer Universiade.

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Kim was the South Korean under-20 team’s regular centre defender at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Kim scored a goal against the United States in the last group match, propelling South Korea to the knockout round.

Kim also competed for the South Korean national futsal team at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games.

Kim earned the bronze medal in the 2010 Asian Games with the South Korean under-23 team. He was subsequently added to the preliminary roster for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, although he was not chosen for the final roster.

The South Korean Olympic football team placed third at the 2012 Summer Olympics, earning the country’s first-ever football medal. Kim was thought to be a standout among the bronze medalists.

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Kim played in all of South Korea’s group games during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, starting each one. In the group stage, South Korea lost against Algeria and Belgium while drawing with Russia. This time, his defence wasn’t strong, especially against players from Algeria.

Kim scored the second goal in South Korea’s 2-0 semi-final victory over Iraq at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, advancing the country to the championship game for the first time since 1988. South Korea, who lost to Australia in the championship match, did not deliver the trophy.

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Kim was chosen to represent South Korea in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In contrast to four years ago, he displayed exceptional skills, developing into a fantastic defender for South Korea. In addition, he scored in the 91st minute of the last group encounter against Germany to eliminate the reigning world champions, and Son Heung-min added another goal a few minutes later.

Kim married Park Se-jin in 2014 and the couple has one daughter and two sons. Kim has appeared in a number of episodes of The Return of Superman as a guest along with his two older children.