Nottingham Forest striker Hwang Eui-jo is struggling for playing time amid tough competition for a starting spot.
Nottingham won their 2023/24 Premier League second-round home match against Sheffield United 2-1 on Sunday (Sept. 19) at the City Ground in Nottingham, England. Nottingham, who had previously lost 1-2 to Arsenal in the first leg, picked up their first win of the season and took a strong step towards retention for a second consecutive season.
On the other hand, Hwang Eui-jo, who has committed to playing for Nottingham this season, has yet to get a chance to play. After being left out of the squad against Arsenal, Hwang was named on the substitutes’ bench against Sheffield Wednesday, but didn’t make the final cut. Furthermore, the competition for the starting spot was red-flagged with rivals Taiwo Awoniyi and Chris Wood both finding the back of the net.
Nottingham lined up in a 3-4-3 on the day. Matt Turner was in goal, with Willie Boly, Joe Worrall, and Scott McKenna in the back three. Serge Aurier, Danilu, Aurel Mangala, and Neko Williams formed the midfield, while Brennan Johnson, Awooniyi, and Morgan Gibbs-White formed the back three. Hwang Ui-jo waited on the bench.
Sheffield lined up in a 3-4-2-1. Wes Fordringham was in goal. Jack Robinson, John Egan, and Anel Ahmedhojic were the defenders. Max Lowe, Vinicius Soja, Oliver Norwood, and Ben Osborne formed the midfield, with Benny Traore and Gustavo Hammer in the second line. In the front three, it was William Oscar.
Nottingham took an early lead with a quick goal. Awooniyi leapt to head home a cross from the right flank. It was his second goal in as many games after scoring against Arsenal.
With the score at 1-0, Nottingham pushed for an equalizer at the start of the second half. Two minutes into the second half, the defense failed to clear a Sheffield corner. Hamer collected the ball, which was cleared off the line by the Nottingham defense, curled it with his right foot, and sent the ball on a fantastic trajectory into the back of the net.
In need of a goal, Nottingham opted for Chris Wood and Anthony Elanga over Hwang Ui-jo. The move paid off. In the 43rd minute, Wood rattled the Sheffield goal with a header from an Aurier cross. It was a theater goal that came just as a draw was on the line. It was a moment that foreshadowed the tough competition for Hwang’s starting spot.
Hwang played for Girondins Bordeaux in France until the 2021/22 season. After Bordeaux were relegated to the second division, he decided to seek a new challenge and joined promotion side Nottingham. 메이저놀이터
However, the opportunity didn’t come his way. Nottingham immediately loaned him out to Olympiakos in Greece after signing him. After 11 appearances in six months with Olympiakos, Hwang fell into a slump, failing to score a single goal, and was eventually loaned out early to FC Seoul.
In Seoul, he regained his form as the main striker. Despite his lack of goals, he was active up front and focused on link-up play. With four goals and two assists in 18 games, Hwang returned to Nottingham full of confidence after his loan ended.
He participated fully in the team’s pre-season training sessions.