K League United
·5 April 2023
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Yahoo sportsK League United
·5 April 2023
Gwangju FC's Jasir Asani says he's ready to return to the fold this weekend and help his team try and unsettle another one of K League's big boys. The winger had to sit out the 2-0 win over Suwon FC last time out, having only returned to Korea the day before having made his debut for Albania.
But, with a trip to the Steelyard coming up this Saturday, Gwangju boss Lee Jung-hyo will be pleased to know that he has the division's top scorer back and available for selection again.
It was quite the week for Jasir Asani. First came a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Incheon United, the first of his career which also helped the Griffins onto their biggest top-flight win in 11 years. What followed was a call-up to the full Albania squad for the first time.
The international bow for Asani was a "dream" but the focus now, he says, is to continue to work hard for Gwangju, starting with Pohang this Saturday.
"I am ready and will always be ready to help the team," says Asani speaking toK League United after missing the 2-0 win over Suwon FC last weekend. The winger was on international duty for Albania, starting at right wing in an eventual 1-0 loss to Poland in a UEFA Euro qualifier on Monday, March 27th. He then landed back in Korea on the Friday and so had to watch the victory over Suwon from the stands.
But, the 27-year-old is back and available for selection this weekend ahead of the trip to Pohang. Gwangju have already put noses out of joint with wins over the two Suwon teams as well as last year's dark horses Incheon United and so the trip to the Steelyard is unlikely to faze Lee Jung-hyu's men. Asani says, the aim is to win every single game:
"It will be a hard game with Pohang but we have to train hard for this game to win it. Every game is hard but we are going to play beautiful football and take the three points, but we have time to get ready because they have a good team Pohang."
Speaking on the start to the new season, Asani says he is pleased with how things are going for him but, ultimately, it's about three points.
"I have always done my everything because every game is hard, I am very happy I started scoring goals and help myself and the team win. It is not important who scores, [what's] important is the team wins and achieves three points."