"I still can't believe it."
Born in 2000, midfielder Jeong Min-young thus made a name for herself. Her A team debut as a 2025 replacement call-up, and her debut goal. It also carried the symbolism of being the first goal in a home A match for the women's national soccer team led by coach Shin Sang-woo. It was a sudden opportunity, and that made her all the more desperate. That is why she even kept quiet with her family for a while.
After that one goal, Jeong Min-young's clock started moving quickly. He who had quietly shouldered the midfield at WK League Seoul City Hall now heads for a new stage. Jeong Min-young leaves Seoul City Hall to wear the Ottawa Rapids uniform of the Canadian women's professional league. It is her first overseas challenge in her playing career.
On the 23rd, Jeong Min-young candidly told OSEN in a phone interview about the background to her decision to transfer abroad, why she chose Ottawa, and her determination for the national team and the Asian Cup. She said, "I felt now is the right time to take on a new environment," and added, "I thought it was an opportunity to grow one step further as a player."
She gained confidence from her national team debut goal and is taking on a new challenge as she obtained free agent status. Three years at Seoul City Hall and the experience of wearing the Taegeuk mark supported her choice. Now Jeong Min-young aims to prove herself once again in Ottawa.
The following is a Q&A with Jeong Min-young.
For fans who may be unfamiliar, please introduce yourself.
-Hello. I am women's soccer player Jeong Min-young, affiliated with Seoul City Hall. I am a central midfielder. I play both defensive and attacking midfield. I was first called up to the national team last year and recorded a debut match and a goal.
Before departing the country, how have you been spending your time lately?
-I haven't been able to rest from training, so I keep training alone. I also go to places like the center two to three times a week and continue working out.
It must feel special to be about to transfer abroad.
-First of all, I'm most excited about taking on a new challenge. Leaving a familiar environment wasn't easy, but I thought it was an opportunity to grow one step further as a player, so I'm full of excitement and anticipation.
Was there a decisive factor that led you to decide on an overseas transfer?
-Looking back on my career, I felt now was the right time to challenge a new environment. I wanted to test myself on the overseas stage before it became too late.
When offers came from abroad, what considerations did you make?
-My original dream was to go abroad. So it didn't seem like a choice that required such a big decision for me. It wasn't an easy opportunity, but because it was a dream I always held, I made the decision immediately.
How did you come into contact with the Canadian league and the Ottawa club?
-Since the league was established last year, it may be very unfamiliar to fans, but there were national team seniors and players who play in the Canadian league, so players already knew about it. I knew Korean women's soccer players were active in that league, and in that sense it naturally came to me.
Why did you choose Ottawa among several options?
-Ottawa clearly presented a role that suited me, and I felt the club viewed me very positively. Also, there are players Lee Min-a and Chu Hyo-ju, and I thought I would get along well with them.
What role are you expected to play in Ottawa?
-I'll probably play as a defensive midfielder. Since Lee Min-a will be in the attacking midfield, I will likely play a supporting role for that.
What kind of soccer do you want to show?
-I want to take charge of game management and consolidation in the midfield. Using the experience I gained in the WK League, I want to play a role that gives stability within the team.
As you gained experience in the WK League, do you have strengths that made you feel 'I can also succeed abroad'?
-I think aggressiveness is my biggest weapon. Physically I'm not bigger than foreign players, but I believe my aggressiveness, ball control, and combination play that cover that are my strengths.
You must have concerns about the new environment, language, and culture.
-I had many worries before the team was decided, but I felt the coach and coaching staff are very good people, and there are also two Korean players, which I think will be a great help.
Do you have personal goals for the first season?
-Staying injury-free is the biggest goal. It's important that I properly fulfill the role expected of me within the team. Playing time is something to discuss with the coaching staff, so I will respect that and, when given the opportunity, I want to fully carry out my role.
Is there anything you particularly want to prove on the overseas stage?
-I want to show that Korean players and Asian players can compete competitively and do well.
Lee Min-a's success in the Canadian league must also be motivating.
-Min-a unni is such a good player that I think that's why she did well, but I also think it's worth making that one of my goals.
Are you preparing well for communication in English and so on?
-Studying isn't easy, but I'm continuing, and my goal is to achieve basic communication even if it's not fluent conversation.
The transfer structure for free-agent players moving abroad (no transfer fee) probably also influenced your decision.
-Of course. I understand that transfer fees are only required for domestic team transfers, so I couldn't ignore the institutional aspect in practical terms. I played in a really good environment at Seoul City Hall for three years, and then a good timing came to allow me to go out.
Was staying in the WK League an option?
-If I had stayed, I think I would have remained at Seoul City Hall.
You must have worried between staying domestically and taking on an overseas challenge.
-Of course there are good coaches and players in Korea, but I thought leaving was the right choice for my dream.
Does this transfer have significance for WK League players going abroad?
-Everyone has different dreams, so if someone wants to try an overseas challenge, I hope they do. If a player leaves after fulfilling the period within the WK League system, I think the overseas experience itself is meaningful.
What is the biggest change before and after your national team debut?
-After returning from the national team, I received more spotlight so I gained more fans, and my mindset changed the most. There was a time when I felt a great burden to perform well on the team, but being called up as a replacement refreshed me, and I gained the belief that 'I can fulfil the role I am capable of.'
When you first heard about your call-up, who was the first person who came to mind?
-My parents came to mind first, but I wanted to tell them in person so I waited. However, the list was made public first, so my parents found out online. Instead, I thought a lot about the coaches who have helped me grow.
You must feel a special determination ahead of the Asian Cup in March.
-I always think being on the national team comes with responsibility. I don't take the opportunity for granted, and my goal is to do my best in the position I'm in. I hope that leads to being called up, but even if not, I want to focus on my role.
A message to WK League fans and those who supported you.
-I'm always so thankful for the interest and love, and the support from those who came to the stadium on hot days and cold days gave me great strength. Even abroad, I will take pride in being a product of the WK League and show a good image. I definitely want to express my deep gratitude to the Seoul City Hall coach and players who were with me for three years.
[OSEN]