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| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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"This is the best combination right now." Gangwon coach Yoon Jung-hwan, who met ahead of the 21st round of the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2024" between Gangwon and Gwangju held at Gangneung Stadium on the 7th, breathed a light sigh. He lamented the situation in which he had no choice but to fight with his gums due to a series of injuries. Yago, a key foreign striker who played as a starting resource in the first half of the year, left the team earlier this month due to the expiration of his contract, while striker Gabriel, midfielder Kim Yi-seok and Kim Dae-woo, and veteran left back Yoon Seok-young were all dropped due to injuries. There were no authentic strikers in Gangwon's starting lineup on the day. Yang Min-hyuk, Lee Sang-heon, Jeong Han-min, and Cho Jin-hyuk formed an attack team. It was more like a 'zero top'. Jungwon drew and wrote side defender Lee Yoo-hyun. For the first time, Yang Min-hyuk and semi-professional Kim Hyung-jin, who were born in 2006, were included in the bench.
Contrary to Yoon's concerns, Kangwon's gums were stronger than expected. Jeong Han-min, who was brought on loan from Seoul, served as a lubricant for the attack with active movements across the front and second lines and a catch-off-guard penetration pass. In the first minute of the first half, Jeong Han-min's cross was accurately connected to Lee Sang-hun in the box, but Lee Sang-hun's shot floated over the net and failed to score. Yang Min-hyuk and Lee Sang-heon actively changed positions and tried to create cracks in Gwangju's defense. Lee Yoo-hyun, who played as a central midfielder for two consecutive games following the last match against Incheon, showed his overflowing energy with long hair. Gwangju, led by head coach Lee Jung-hyo, was also not easy. In response, he responded to the forward compression of the eye, the eye, and the forward compression of Gangwon. Bruno's free kick touched Jung Ji-hoon's forehead in the 16th minute of the first half, but it slightly went off the post. The coaches of both teams fought in real-time without being bored. Both teams put a lot of numbers on the opposing side in the event of an attack.
In the 33rd minute of the first half, coach Yoon began to take a step ahead. Gangwon's Jeong Han-min, who took the ball near the opponent's box, shook the net with a right-footed mid-range shot aimed at the corner of the goal. He scored his third goal of the season in two months after scoring the winning goal against Suwon FC on May 5. In the second half, Gangwon was taken to Gwangju, which put Lee Hee-kyun, Gabriel, and Lee Kun-hee, but blocked Gwangju's offensive with strong pressure and solid defense. In the 27th minute of the second half, Gwangju midfielder Park Tae-joon blew a decisive chance in front of the gate. Gangwon, which had been holding out and holding out, took one more step in the 36th minute of the second half. Henry, who replaced him, broke through the opponent's left point with a smart dribble and stabbed a cross into the door, and the ball hit Gwangju defender Kim Jin-ho's foot and scored an own goal. Henry, an Australian multi-striker newly recruited by Gangwon this summer, clearly impressed Gangwon fans in his debut match. In the extra time of the second half, Gangwon goalkeeper Lee Kwang-yeon saved Gabriel's header and poured cold water on Gwangju's willingness to chase. The game ended with a 2-0 victory for Gangwon.
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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With the victory, Gangwon quickly changed its competition for the top spot from a three-way race to a four-way race. He trailed third-place Pohang (38 points) by one point with 11 wins, 4 draws, 6 losses and 37 points. He is only three points behind the leader Kim Cheon (40 points). Kimcheon Ulsan (39 points), currently ranked 1st to 3rd, drew in all 21 rounds as if they had promised and only gained one point. Of course, Gangwon has a long way to go. Major injuries must return as soon as possible to withstand the heat schedule. Gangwon, which recruited winger Kim Kyung-min and Henry in the summer transfer market, is also reportedly seeking to strengthen foreign strikers to fill Yago's vacancy. Gwangju, on the other hand, lost their first match since the club officially joined Swansea City. Jung Ji-hoon, born in 2004, who only received the opportunity to play after Um Ji-sung left, stepped down to the bench in the 39th minute of the first half after starting. At least in the game, Gwangju's loss, which left Um Ji-sung, seemed to be greater than that of Gangwon, which lost Yago.
yoonjinman@sportschosun.com
