Kang Ga-ae

Last updated

Kang Ga-ae
강가애
ganggaae 2022.jpg
Personal information
Date of birth (1990-12-10) 10 December 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Dangjin, South Korea
Height1.72 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in) [1]
Position Goalkeeper
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2009-2010 Yeoju Institute of Technology
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2011–2012 Chungnam Ilhwa Chunma 19 (0)
2013-2024 Sejong Sportstoto
2013 →Goyang Daekyo (loan)
International career‡
2010 South Korea U20 1 (0)
2016–2022 South Korea 14 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals
‡ National team caps and goals as of 14:51, 21-11-2025 (UTC)

Kang Ga-ae (born 10 December 1990) [1] is a South Korean former footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Contents

Early life

Kang became interested in football after the 2002 FIFA World Cup and got the opportunity to play thanks to the football academy at her younger brother's elementary school. [2] Kang and her twin sister Kang Na-ru both took up football and were scouted for their talent, transferring to Deokcheon Elementary School in Anyang, where they trained in the girls' football academy. [3] Kang progressed through the football academies at Anyang Buheung Middle School and Osan I.C.T. High School, going on to become the first choice goalkeeper of the women's football team at Yeoju Institute of Technology. [4]

Club career

Kang was selected by Chungnam Ilhwa in the third round of the 2011 WK League new players' draft. [5] When the club was dissolved at the end of 2012, Kang signed with Chungbuk Sportstoto, but was immediately loaned to Goyang Daekyo due to their goalkeeper sustaining an injury. [6] After four months in Goyang, she returned to Sportstoto's squad. [7]

As Kang settled into her new club, she was gradually given more match minutes, eventually becoming Sportstoto's first choice goalkeeper in 2015. [7] The following year, having relocated from Daejeon to Gumi, the club progressed to the WK League playoff for the first time. [8] Kang became a core member of the Sportstoto squad, playing an important role in winning the club's first trophy at the 2017 National Women's Football Championship, a feat they repeated in 2018. [9] She also received the best goalkeeper award at the tournament. [10]

Kang remained a central figure at Sportstoto as the club again moved its home base in 2019, this time from Gumi to Sejong, and underwent a generational shift as several veteran players moved on and were replaced by less experienced youngsters. [7] [11] She played a key role in Sportstoto's 2023 National Sports Festival win, with the final against 10-time WK League champions Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels being decided by a penalty shootout. [12]

Kang retired from football at the end of the 2024 season. [13] A retirement ceremony was held for her and long-time teammate Hwang Bo-ram at Sejong Civic Stadium following Sportstoto's final WK League fixture. [14] She was named in the 2024 WK League Best XI at the Korea Pro Footballers Association (KPFA) WK League awards. [15] The KPFA also held a retirement ceremony for Kang at the annual KPFA Charity Match in December 2024. [16]

International career

Kang played a single match for the South Korea U20 team in 2010, a 6–2 win over Hesse in Germany. [17] She was part the South Korean squad that came in third at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, although she didn't play at the tournament as Moon So-ri was the first choice goalkeeper. [18] [19]

She made her full international debut on 4 June 2016 in a friendly against Myanmar, keeping a clean sheet in a 5–0 win. [17] She did not concede a goal until her seventh cap, a 1–0 defeat to Switzerland in the 2017 Cyprus Cup. [17] Kang was tipped to be Korea's "next generation" first choice goalkeeper as Kim Jung-mi reached the end of her international career, but she missed out on the 2018 Asian Games squad due to a torn ligament, which caused her to miss several weeks of training. [20]

Kang playing for South Korea in 2019 Argentina vs Korea Republic, 2019 Cup of Nations, 2019-02-28 Kang Ga-Ae (48781497262).jpg
Kang playing for South Korea in 2019

Kang was part of South Korea's squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup despite sustaining tearing a muscle in her thigh shortly before the squad was announced. [21] [22] With experienced goalkeepers Kim Jung-mi and Yoon Young-geul also unavailable for selection due to more serious injuries, it was deemed that Kang would be able to recover in time for the tournament. [23] [24] However ultimately Kang did not play at the World Cup, with up-and-coming keeper Kim Min-jeong being named in the starting line-up for all three of Korea's matches. [25]

Kang was part of South Korea's squad during qualification for the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup. [26] She subsequently travelled to the tournament in India but did not play any minutes during the competition, which saw South Korea finish as runners-up and earn automatic qualification for the 2026 edition of the tournament. [27] [28] Following the end of the Asian Cup, Kang announced her retirement from international football. [2]

Personal life

Family and local community

When Kang's twin sister Kang Na-ru signed a contract with the newly established Jeonbuk KSPO in 2011, the pair became the first twins to play in the Korean women's top division. [29] Kang Na-ru was forced to retire early due to a knee injury, after which Kang Ga-ae always chose shirt number 19, the same number her sister wore prior to her career being cut short, in honour of the pair's shared footballing journey. [2]

Throughout her career Kang has maintained strong links with her native Dangjin, funding scholarships and donating supplies for aspiring footballers and golfers at local schools and supporting local football teams. [30] In 2020 she became an ambassador for Dangjin's police force, participating in campaigns to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence, road traffic safety and voice phishing scams. [4]

After her retirement from football, Kang returned to Dangjin. [31] She is the goalkeeping coach at Dangchan FC, a local women's football club established by her mother and sister.[ citation needed ] [32]

Advocacy work

Kang was first appointed as a member of the board of directors of the Korea Pro Footballers Association in 2021. [33] She later became the KPFA's vice-chair and regularly uses her position to call for the development of women's football in Korea, in particular the professionalisation of the WK League, the abolition of the league's salary cap, and a better youth development system. [34] In 2024, she won the FIFPro Player Voice Award in recognition of her efforts to improve conditions for female footballers in South Korea. [13] She was instrumental in the 2025 launch of Team KPFA, an initiative that aims to promote women's football and support the sustainable development of girls' football. [35]

Career statistics

International

As of match played 6 October 2019 [36]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
South Korea 201640
201750
201800
201940
Total140

Honours

Sejong Sportstoto

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 Kang Ga-ae FIFA
  2. 1 2 3 Bang, Ja-yeon (3 January 2025). "강가애(34) 전 국가대표 축구선수 "축구를 떠난 삶은 상상할 수 없어"" [Former Korea international footballer Kang Ga-ae (34): "I can't imagine a life without football"]. Dangjin Times (in Korean). Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  3. ↑ Lee, Pil-yong (4 November 2003). "여자축구 신화, 우리가 만든다 - 강가애,강나루 자매" [We're making the legend of women's football: sisters Kang Ga-ae, Kang Na-ru]. Dangjin Times. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  4. 1 2 Kang, Bong-jo (29 December 2020). "당진경찰서,강가애 여자 축구대표선수 홍보대사 위촉" [Footballer Kang Ga-ae appointed promotional ambassador for Dangjin Police Force]. Naeway News (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  5. ↑ Kim, Jung-yong (16 November 2010). "'최인철의 아이들' WK리그 드래프트에서도 두각" ['Choi In-cheol's kids' make an impression at WK League draft]. Best Eleven (in Korean). Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  6. ↑ "'해체' 일화 선수들, 새둥지 찾고 안도" ['Dissolved' Ilhwa players looking for new homes]. KBS News (in Korean). Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 Kwon, Tae-jung (8 November 2016). "구미 스포츠토토 강가애, 태권소녀에서 태극낭자로!" [Gumi Sportstoto's Kang Ga-ae, from taekwondo girl to Taeguk woman!]. Korea Football Association (in Korean). Retrieved 20 November 2025– via Naver Blog.
  8. ↑ Park, Hong-sik (28 December 2016). "구미스포츠토토 여자축구단 플레이오프 진출" [Gumi Sportstoto WFC progress to playoff]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  9. 1 2 Noh, Ju-hwan (16 March 2021). "창단 10주년 스포츠토토여자축구단, 대한민국 여자축구 중심으로 도약" [Sportstoto WFC mark 10th anniversary, making progress towards being at the core of Korean women's football]. Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 Lee, Jung-soo (6 August 2018). "구미스포츠토토 전국여자축구선수권2연패" [Two consecutive titles at National Women's Football Championship for Gumi Sportstoto]. Maeil Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  11. ↑ Kim, Ga-eul (11 April 2019). "구미스포츠토토 여자축구단, 1차 목표는 PO 진출!" [Gumi Sportstoto's first target: a place in the playoff]. Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  12. 1 2 Kang, Dae-ho (19 October 2023). "세종스포츠토토 여자축구단, 전국체전 우승으로 시즌 마무리" [Sejong Sportstoto WFC finish season as National Sports Festival champions]. mk.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 "Ga-Ae Kang: "If we want change, we have to speak up"". www.fifpro.org. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  14. ↑ Han, Sang-cheon (27 September 2024). "2024 WK리그 28라운드 최종전에서 세종스포츠토토, 문경상무에 4-2 승리" [Sejong Sportstoto beat Mungyeong Sangmu 4-2 in 2024 WK League round 28, final match]. Madang (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  15. 1 2 Kim, Chang-geum (14 November 2024). "선수들이 마련한 여자실업축구 시상식…시즌 MVP는 쿄카와" [A women's football awards ceremony organised by the players: Kyokawa named season MVP]. Hani (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  16. ↑ Park, Tae-sung (21 December 2024). "은퇴하는 강가애" [Retiring Kang Ga-ae]. MHN (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  17. 1 2 3 Kang Ga-ae Korea FA
  18. ↑ "한양여대, 여주대 '4강 양 날개'" [Hanyang Women's University, Yeoju University 'flying into the semi-finals']. MBS News (in Korean). 28 July 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  19. ↑ Chun, Byung-hyuk (1 August 2010). "U20여자월드컵 - 한국, 사상 첫 세계 3위" [U-20 Women's World Cup - Korea in 3rd for first time ever]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  20. ↑ Kwak, Him-chan (28 July 2018). "'AG 불발' 골키퍼 강가애는 묵묵히 기다린다" ['no Asian Games call-up' goalkeeper Kang Ga-ae bides her time]. sports-g (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  21. ↑ Choi, Song-a (17 May 2019). "지소연·조소현·강가애 등 2019 여자 월드컵 나설 23인 확정(종합)" [Ji So-yun, Cho So-hyun, Kang Ga-ae et al. 23-strong squad confirmed for 2019 Women's World Cup]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  22. ↑ Kim, Sung-jin (18 May 2019). "'허벅지 부상' 강가애 5G급 회복… 윤덕여호 골문 불안 해소" ['Thigh injury' Kang Ga-ae's fast recovery resolves Yoon Deok-yeo's goalkeeper woes]. Sportal Korea (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  23. ↑ Oh, Hae-won (17 May 2019). "GK 강가애-FW손화연, 부상 우려 씻고 월드컵 간다" [Keeper Kang Ga-ae and forward Son Hwa-yeon brush off injury concerns as they head to World Cup]. No Cut News (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  24. ↑ Ryu, Chung (6 June 2019). "마지막 '격전지' 골대, 강가애 vs 김민정" [The last battle in goal, Kang Ga-ae vs. Kim Min-jeong]. Footballist (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  25. ↑ An, Young-jun (4 October 2019). "월드컵 경험 쌓은 김민정, 미국 상대로 한 단계 더 도약" [Kim Min-jeong uses her World Cup experience to take on the next challenge: the U.S.A.]. Best Eleven (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025– via Daum.
  26. ↑ Park, Kyung-mi (13 September 2021). "강가애 선수, 여자아시안컵 예선 출격" [Kang Ga-ae selected for Women's Asian Cup qualification]. Dangjin Times (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  27. ↑ Choi, Tae-mun (10 January 2022). "'우승 도전' 여자대표팀, 아시안컵 최종 명단 발표" ['Challenging for title' women's national team final squad list for Asian Cup announced]. G Economy (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  28. ↑ Choi, Song-a (6 February 2022). "한국 여자축구, 아시안컵 준우승...결승전서 중국에 2-3 역전패" [Korea runners-up in women's football Asian Cup, losing 2-3 in final as China come from behind]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  29. ↑ Kim, Chang-yeon (14 February 2011). "인터뷰-쌍둥이 여성프로축구선수 강가애, 강나루 선수 "함께 태어난 쌍둥이 승부에 양보는 없다"" [Interview - twin professional women's football players Kang Ga-ae, Kang Na-ru: "neither of us will let the other twin win"]. Dangjin Times (in Korean). Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  30. ↑ Chun, Ki-young (15 May 2022). "당진 출신 강가애 여자축구 국가대표, 축구 물품 증정" [Dangjin native Korea international footballer Kang Ga-ae donates football memorabilia]. Daily Hankook (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  31. ↑ Kim, Sang-rae (26 December 2024). "'그라운드와 작별' 강가애 "WK리그 프로화 이뤄지길 바라"" ['Farewell to the ground' Kang Ga-ae: "I hope the WK League will professionalise"]. Ilyo Shinmun (in Korean). Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  32. ↑ Lim, A-yeon (25 February 2023). "당진시여성축구단 당찬FC 창단" [Dangjin women's football club Dangchan FC founded]. Dangjin Times (in Korean). Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  33. ↑ 선수 인터뷰 강가애 신임이사 [Player interview with new board member Kang Ga-ae] (Video) (in Korean). 19 October 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2025– via Naver TV.
  34. ↑ Lee, Won-man (27 November 2024). ""여자축구 환경개선 더욱 노력하겠다" 강가애 한국프로축구선수협 부회장 FIFPRO 메리트 어워즈 수상 영예" ["We will make more efforts to improve the environment for women's football" KPFA vice-chair Kang Ga-ae honoured with FIFPro Merit Award]. Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  35. ↑ Lee, Jong-man (12 June 2025). "선수협, 여자축구 발전·저변 확대 목표 'TEAM KPFA' 출범…전·현직 국가대표 대거 참여" [KPFA launches 'TEAM KPFA' in aims to develop and expand women's football. Many former and current international players to participate]. Incheon Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  36. ↑ https://www.kfa.or.kr/national/?act=nt_woman&position=GK&search_val=2025&s_idx=1574&cursor=#cursor_location
  37. ↑ An, Hong-sik (27 November 2024). "강가애 프로축구선수협 부회장, FIFPRO 메리트 어워드 수상" [KPFA vice-chair Kang Ga-ae receives FIFPRO merit award]. Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Retrieved 20 November 2025.
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