Tiago scored Daejeon's very first goal back in K League 1, opening the scoring at home to Gangwon FC in a 2-0 win in Round 1. He also scored the goal that sealed safety, the equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Suwon FC in Round 34. What's all the more impressive about the Brazilian's prowess in front of goal is that it's his first season in K League 1 and first with the club.
Interview
You've scored some very important goals, some very meaningful goals for the club. How does that feel to have played an important part for Daejeon this season?
I was very happy to be a big part of the team this season. And that's thanks to all my teammates who have helped me along the way. And I mean, obviously, all the stats that I can show up to this date were thanks to all the hard work at the training center. Even before I came to Daejeon I knew that there were going to be a lot of expectations from the fans and from the teammates between ourselves also. But thankfully, I was able to meet up to these expectations and perform. We still have more games to go this season, and hopefully, we can bring more happiness and more joy to the fans.
You've scored goals at important times during matches, too. Sometimes after not having a lot of service. How do you stay focused and keep your concentration and composure?
I have a little secret. I talk to myself a lot during the game so if I have a chance but miss, then I tell myself to keep my head up; that the next chance I'll have I'm for sure going to finish it. But if I don't get a lot of chances or balls to my feet in the game then I just tell myself to be patient; that more chances are going to come in the future and whenever I get the ball, if I don't score then I tell myself that I at least have to make the goalkeeper work.
Well, 16 goals now this season which is a top-flight record for Daejeon - Kevin Oris in 2012. Did you know that?
No, I didn't know that but now that I do know I'm going to try and find a way to overcome that record and be number one in the club.
The golden boot or "goal king" as the award is named in Korean. How determined are you to win it this year after coming so close last year in K League 2?
I'm very desperate to get this award, especially now that I have a daughter. I would like to take this trophy home and one day tell her that her daddy was not only good at headers but also good at scoring goals and got the golden boot. To be able to do that I am going to give my best in training and help my teammates a lot.
Which goal has been your favourite this season?
My second goal against Pohang away; the one we lost 4-3. Personally, I think it's one of the most beautiful goals in the league so far this year and it was significant for me, especially because it was the beginning of us starting to overcome the defeat because we were losing the game at the time so it gave a little of power for the team, some strength to keep fighting.
Daejeon have never had anyone win the K League 1 golden boot before so that would be even more special for you to cap off this amazing season.
For sure, yeah it would be very meaningful for me to have my name in the club's history and hopefully, I will be at the end of the season.
Lots of people are talking about the golden boot race now so does that make you feel more pressure to win it?
No, I think it's normal. I mean, that's part of the job, you know? Many people talk about it and it's part of the process. So I don't feel any pressure at all. In my position it's normal for people to keep talking about it, asking a lot of questions about it also so there's no pressure. As an attacker, it's my function to score goals, you know? Fans come to the stadium wanting to see me score goals, my family and friends too are hoping that I score goals in the game so for me, I just have to stay ready, stay focused in the game so that when chances do come all I have to do is finish.
Going back to your move to Daejeon this winter, when did you first hear that the club were interested?
So, after last season there were about three clubs that were interested and talks began among the clubs and my agents. I started to do my own research on each one of the cities and clubs' facilities and decided that Daejeon had the right environment for me. Daejeon offered me a good contract so I ended up coming to Daejeon.
Daejeon fans have turned up in their numbers, there are over 10,000 there for most home games. The fans really love you and it seems like you have a great relationship with the fans. How important have they been for you and the team?
I'm very happy with our fans in Daejeon. Of course, their support for us is very important. They put on a great scene both at home and at away games and I am more than happy to play for these fans.
