By Pearse McLaughlin
Its honours even here at Chuncheon Songnam Stadium as Gangwon FC drew 1-1 with Daegu FC. Edgar opened the scoring for the visitors with a bullet header and a bizarre own goal by the unfortunate Marcos Serrato sees the game finish all square.
Gangwon FC boss, Choi Yong-Soo hasn’t tinkered with his tactics too much and has kept his tried and trusted 3-4-3 formation. There are two alterations to the side that lost narrowly last season’s champions, Ulsan Hyundai, and they are Kim Woo-Seok replaces Yun Suk-Young, Han Kook-Young. As for Daegu FC, Choi Won-Kwon has named an unchanged side from their 1-1 draw last time out against Jeju United.
First major opportunity and we have the breakthrough here on the 11th minute courtesy of Daegu FC’s Brazilian veteran, Edgar. It is an inch perfect cross from his compatriot Cesinha who delivers the out-swinging corner from the right-hand side which saw Edgar soar highest and bullet an unstoppable header past Yoo Sang-Hoon leaving him clutching at thin air. 1-0 to the visitors. Bullet header.
Gangwon FC are level on the 25th minute through a freak own goal by Marcos Serrato who intercepts Kim Dae-Won’s cross which then spins and loops over the helpless Oh Seung-Hoon. The home side are level through the most bizarre of circumstances. 1-1 game on.
The sides go in level at the break in what has been a scrappy affair. A match which has lacked that cutting edge and any real quality and composure on the ball. This is to be expected for sides who currently sit 12thand 8th in the league respectively. Both sides will be hoping to take advantage of substitutions and march on and grab all 3 points in this relegation six-pointer.
10 minutes into the second half and Ko Jae-Hyeon should have scored for Daegu FC and seen them retaken the lead, but he has somehow missed an open goal from a mere 3 yards out. It was great initial play by target man Edgar who had opened the scoring in the first half. Edgar swivelled in the 18-yard-box and struck a magnificent volley which was goal bound but for a fantastic save by Yoo Sang-Hoon to deny him. Yoo Sang-Hoon’s save was parried directly into the path of the unmarked Ko Jae-Hyeon but couldn’t convert into an empty net from a mere 3 yards out. Absolute sitter. It somehow remains 1-1.
With quarter of an hour to play, Yang Hyun-Jun plays a side rule pass into Kim Dae-Won who slides an inch perfect pass into the path of Galego who shifts the ball out of his feet on the edge of the box but sees his effort flash a whisker wide of the bottom left-hand corner. Nearly an instant impact by the substitute Galego but the scores remain level.
It finishes all square in what was evenly fought contest between the two sides which saw Gangwon FC come from behind against Daegu FC to gain their first point of the season.
Next up for Gangwon FC is a difficult away trip next Saturday the 18th of March where they will face high flying Pohang Steelers who remain unbeaten this season. Next up for Daegu FC is a tough tie at home where they will face the record champions, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors next Sunday the 19th of March.
The attendance today at Chuncheon Songnam Stadium is 4,058.
Gangwon FC: Yoo Sang-Hoon, Rim Chang-Woo, Kim Young-Bin, Kim Woo-Seok, Yu In-Soo (Kang Ji-Hun 88’), Ikrom Alibaev (Han Kook-Young 46’), Seo Min-Woo, Jung Seung-Yong, Yang Hyun-Jun, Dino Islamovic (Galego 56’), Kim Dae-Won (Hwang Mun-Ki 90+2’). Subs not used: Lee Kwang-Yeon, Yun Suk-Young, Cho Jin-Hyuk.
Daegu FC: Oh Seung-Hoon, Kim Jin-Hyuk, Hong Jung-Woon, Jo Jin-Woo, Jang Seong-Won (Keita Suzuki 84’), Park Se-Jin (Lee Yong-Rae 46’), Marcos Serrato (Lucas Barcelos 46’), Hwang Jae-Won, Ko Jae-Hyeon, Cesinha, Edgar. Subs not used: Choi Young-Woon, Kim Kang-San, Lee Jin-Young, Lee Keun-Ho.
Match Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
Comments