New Kids Gangwon F.C. Making a Big Impression

By: Brett | June 30th, 2009

Jeonbuk Hyundai manager Choi Kang-hee didn’t sound surprised. Nor did he sound shocked. Or embarrassed. There was no need to hurl abuse at an average referee, or wax lyrical about wild conspiracy theories. The better team had won. “We expected a tough game,” he said. “The opening goal was vital and as Gangwon got it, it was then hard for us to find our rhythm.”

The interesting thing is this – Choi’s high flying Jeonbuk Hyundai outfit hadn’t just suffered defeat at the hands of one of the K-League’s big guns. Nor had they just lost by a narrow margin. They’re first home defeat of the season, and a crushing 2-5 one at that, was inflicted by the competitions new boys– Gangwon F.C.

Many pundits thought that for Gangwon F.C. to make the play-offs in their debut season would take an effort the equal of summiting the mighty Seorak Mountain which its home province is famous for. They joked that anything better than last would been cause for celebration. How could a team owned by the Gangwon Province Municipal Government hope to compete with teams like FC Seoul and Suwon Samsung Bluewings, who are backed by some of Korea’s most powerful and wealthy private conglomerates? No chance. How wrong they were.

A 1-0 win over Jeju United on opening day made them the first K-League outfit to win their debut match. Ever. A 2-1 victory over FC Seoul at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in round 2 had them sitting top. Life got harder after that. A shocking run of seven league games without a win saw them drop to tenth by round 9.

Things are looking better these days. Now sitting clear in fifth, victory on Saturday was the third straight for the team from Korea’s north east. Saturday’s emphatic 5-2 result at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium was preceded by a 4-1 thrashing of an average Seongnam Ilhwa outfit last round and a 4-3 win in what was a pulsating game against Ulsan Hyundai, the round before that. That’s 13 goals in three matches.

And 24 in total for the season. Only Jeonbuk have more. The 20 goals they have conceded thus far is a clear indication of just what a fearlessly attacking outfit Gangwon is. Led by one of the 2002 World Cup heroes in Lee Eul-Yong and boasting two quality goal scorers in Yoon Jun-Ha and Kim Young-Hoo, the future looks very bright indeed for the newest kids on the K-League block.

Round 13 Happennings

Doh Hwa-Sung’s blatant disregard for his own safety earned his Incheon United team a point at Daejeon on Saturday night. An exceptional free-kick from Ko Chang-Hyeon had given the home team the lead in the 73rd minute and they looked good for win number three until, in minute 89, Doh and the Daejeon keeper were involved in a sickening clash of heads. Both players had eyes only for the ball, which eluded them both and ended up in the back of the net. 1-1 it finished.

It’s been a great week for the Pohang Steelers. A 4-1 victory in Incheon last weekend, and a 6-0 pistol whipping of the Newcastle Jets in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday night was followed up with a 2-1 win over the Chunnam Dragons at the Steelyard on Sunday. Sergio Farias’ team is looking unbeatable at the minute.

Last years champs Suwon Samsung still can’t get there act together. Knocked out of the Asian Champions League in midweek by Japan’s Nagoya Grampus, goals in the 5th and 87th minutes from Brazilian import Almir saw them suffer yet another defeat, this time away to Ulsan Hyundai. They now sit second from bottom.

Results – Daejeon Citizens 1-1 Incheon United FC, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 0-1 Gwangju Sangmu, Jeonbuk Hyundai 2-5 Gangwon FC, Ulsan Hyundai Horang-I 3-2 Suwon Samsung, Pohang Steelers 2-1 Chunnam Dragons, Jeju United 2-0 Busan I’Park, Daegu FC 1-3 Gyeongnam, Bye: FC Seoul.

Top 5 – 1. Gwangju Sangmu (29) 2. FC Seoul (26) 3. Jeonbuk Hyundai (24) 4. Incheon United (22) 5. Gangwon FC (19).