FC Fire Butterfly's New Era: Coach Kim Young-kwang Debuts Amidst Captain Showdown and Controversy

SBS's popular show 'Kick a Goal' (Gol 때리는 그녀들) is set to air the second match of the GIFA Cup, featuring a thrilling face-off between the newly formed legend team 'Phoenix Utd' and the revamped 'FC Fire Butterfly'.

The spotlight is particularly on the captain's duel between Park Seon-young and Ahn Hye-kyung. Having previously served as captain and maknae respectively on 'FC Fire Moth', the two will now lead opposing teams in a highly anticipated clash. The captains showcased intense rivalry and playful banter upon their reunion, with Ahn Hye-kyung confidently stating, "That was then, but can you score against me today?" leaving viewers eager to see who will emerge victorious.

Leading 'FC Fire Butterfly' is former national team goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang, who joins the GIFA Cup as the new head coach. With extensive experience coaching numerous 'Kick a Goal' players, including Ahn Hye-kyung and others, this marks his official managerial debut. Kim expressed a strong determination to lead the team to victory, but faces a formidable opponent in Choi Jin-cheul, the former coach of 'FC Fire Butterfly' in the previous G League season. The match pits rookie commander Kim against veteran tactician Choi, who holds the record for the most appearances in 'Kick a Goal'.

To secure his first win, Coach Kim has implemented a bold tactical shift, swapping the positions of defensive linchpin Lee Seung-yeon and G League top scorer Kang Bo-ram. Star player Kang is now deployed in the deepest defensive role to enhance build-up play, while Lee is pushed to the forward line for aggressive pressing and shooting. All eyes are on whether this daring strategy will lead to 'FC Fire Butterfly' soaring to new heights.

Meanwhile, the previous episode on March 27th featured the G League final between 'FC Kickers' and 'FC Wonder Woman'. 'FC Kickers' secured their first league title with a 2-0 victory, despite a late consolation goal from Wonder Woman's Mashi Ma, ending the match 2-1. However, the broadcast sparked controversy among viewers alleging biased refereeing, with claims that fouls by 'FC Kickers' were overlooked. The production team later released a statement acknowledging minor omissions due to broadcast time constraints but emphasizing their commitment to fair play.

Kim Young-kwang is a former South Korean national team goalkeeper who played for prominent clubs like FC Seoul and Ulsan Hyundai. After retiring in 2019, he transitioned into coaching and is now making his official managerial debut with 'FC Fire Butterfly' in 'Kick a Goal'.