'Dakgong saved it. 'Final A Hope' Gwangju Gabriel-Choi Kyung-rok's consecutive goals, 2-1 defeat Pohang
Sep 13, 2024
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Gwangju won the match against Pohang at 7:30 p.m. on the 13th at Gwangju Football Stadium with its unique infinite attacking football in the 30th round of the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2024'. It finished 0-0 in the first half, but three minutes after the start of the second half, foreign striker Gabriel scored the first goal, followed by Choi Kyung-rok's mid-range shot shaking Pohang's net in the 26th minute of the second half to lead 2-0.
Pohang also launched a sharp counterattack. In the 44th minute of the second half, Pohang foreign player Wandelson hit a ball that crossed the left side of the penalty area with a direct strong shot to break through the Gwangju goal. Pohang, which scored a late chase goal, aimed for an equalizer the rest of the time, but failed to score any more as Gwangju strengthened its defense by putting in the last replacement card.
It was a very significant victory for Gwangju. Before this game, Gwangju was seventh in the league (12 wins, 1 draw and 16 losses, 37 points). It was at a crossroads between Final A and B. Pohang was just above sixth place (12 wins, 8 draws and 9 losses, 44 points). Gwangju had to beat Pohang in order to enter the Final A, which is determined by the rank of the regular league until the 33rd round. It was a matchup commonly referred to as '6 points game'.
The two teams were on the decline. Gwangju was losing three consecutive games until the last minute, and Pohang lost its first five consecutive games in the worst slump at the end of the league. Both teams' benches were determined to win.
Gwangju came out with 'Dakgong soccer' from the first half. Jung Ho-yeon, the core of the midfield, was missing, but Lee Hee-kyun and Lee Kang-hyun filled the gap. Lee Hee-kyun and striker Lee Kun-hee led the attack fiercely. In the 20th minute of the first half, Lee Hee-kyun fired a header shot and threatened Pohang's goal. A minute later, Lee Kun-hee connected with a strong shot to the ball that flowed out of the front of the box. Pohang goalkeeper Hwang In-jae defended well. Gwangju continued to pierce the center.
Pohang also fought back. Kim In-sung, who took over the header pass in the 36th minute of the first half, fired a direct shot from the right side of the box. I was hit by a side net. In the end, the first half ended 0-0. Gwangju overwhelmed the ball possession rate with 65 to 35. In the number of shots, the team also led by 3 (effective shot 2)-1 (effective shot 1)-1 (one effective shot).
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Gwangju saw the effect first. Three minutes in the first half. After the corner kick, Pohang keeper Hwang In-jae clumsily hit the header in front of the goal. Gabriel rushed in and pushed the ball that flowed out.
After the first goal, Gwangju further boosted its offense. In the end, an additional goal came out. Choi Kyung-rok caught the ball in front of the penalty area in the 26th minute of the second half. The defense didn't stick. After trapping, he moved the ball to a good position and hit a strong left-footed shot. The low ball was not powerful, but it was slightly deflected and sucked into the left corner of the goal.
Gwangju, leading 2-0, did not slow down its offense. Pohang also aimed for a comeback goal with all its might. Pohang eventually recovered one goal. Wandelson caught the ball from the back in the 44th minute of the second half in the left area of the penalty area and scored a direct shot. Pohang launched a barrage of attacks throughout the extra time. Gwangju was affordable. Byun Jun-su was put in in extra time to stabilize the defense and finally secure a one-point lead.
wman@sportschosun.com
