By Pearse McLaughlin
Gwangju FC secure a comfortable 2-0 win here at Gwangju Football Stadium have now leapfrogged Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors into 5th place. A goal in either half from Lee Soon-Min and Lee Kun-Hee made sure all three points remained in Gwangju.
Nearly a blockbuster start to the game for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors after only 17 seconds on the clock as Han Gyo-Won smashed the ball inches wide of the left-hand post. It was poor play at the back from Ahn Young-Kyu was dispossessed by Rafael Silva the ball then broke to Gustavo who lined up a shot but knocked off his toes and into the path of Han Gyo-Won who really should have hit the target.
Gwangju nearly opened the scoring themselves courtesy of Thomas on the 19th minute. Thomas done brilliantly as he dinked the ball over Koo Ja-Ryong’s head before showing terrific speed to run the length of the pitch and find himself 1-on-1 but Kim Jeong-Hoon stood his ground and got down brilliantly to his left-hand side to deny the Brazilian from opening the scoring. Terrific skill and run but a terrific stop to keep the scores level. It remains 0-0.
Breakthrough for Gwangju only a minute as Lee Soon-Min loops his header over the out-coming goalkeeper, Kim Jeong-Hoon and into the back of the net. It was all about the terrific pick out by Doo Hyeon-Seok who spotted the late run into the box by Lee Soon-Min who peeled off the back of Jung Woo-Jae before guiding his header past Kim Jeong-Hoon. From a Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors perspective it is extremely poor and avoidable as firstly Jung Woo-Jae is caught ball watching, Park Jin-Seob is sitting deeper than anyone else and playing every Gwangju player onside, and lastly you must question Kim Jeong-Hoon who got two gloves to the ball but somehow let it go through him. 1-0 Gwangju. Terrific start to the game from the home side.
Gwangju FC lead 1-0 at the break and will be the much happier of the two sides as the lead at home, not really been troubled at the back and, look in control of proceedings. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors haven’t created enough with the ball, and you suspect there will be changes made to freshen things up in the second half.
On the 56th minute, halftime substitute Cho Gue-Sung found himself in an unusual position as he cut in from the left wing and delivered a terrific ball into the box, but Gustavo could only direct his header straight at Jun Lee. Terrific movement by the Brazilian to steal a march on Ahn Young-Kyu but he generated the power in his header but lacked any direction. You feel it might have been a different outcome had it been Cho Gue-Sung on the end of the cross.
Gwangju nearly double their advantage on the 61st minute as Thomas goes on another driving run at the heart of the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defence before firing in a low shot on his weaker left foot which was destined for the bottom right-hand corner but for a fingertip save by Kim Jeong-Hoon it remains 1-0.
Gwangju thought they had gone 2-0 up on the 68th minute through Kim Han-Gil but Jeong Ho-Yeon appeared to foul Koo Ja-Ryong in the build-up. After a quick VAR check the goal was indeed overturned for a foul on Koo Ja-Ryong. Another great driving run down the left flank where he did brilliantly before picking out Kim Han-Gil made no mistake. Correct decision by the officials but a massive let off for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors as it somehow remains 1-0.
A mere five minutes later saw Cho Gue-Sung’s left footed effort go a couple of yards wide of the right-hand post. Great run to beat the offside trap but the angle was always against him and to make matters worse Jun Lee was sharp off his line and closed the angle done brilliantly. It remains 1-0 to the home side.
92nd minute Gwangju double their lead and secure all three points courtesy of substitute Lee Kun-Hee. Two substitutes combine as Jeong Ho-Yeon plays the ball into Lee Kun-Hee’s feet who takes a touch with his back to goal before swivelling in between Koo Ja-Ryong and Jeong Tae-Wook and unleashing an unstoppable effort of the base of the left-hand post and into the back of the net. Emphatic finish. 2-0 Gwangju FC.
It’s all over here as Gwangju FC defeat the record Champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2-0 and inflict a defeat in his first game in charge for Dan Petrescu.
This is the first instalment of a double header between these two sides as they meet again on Wednesday the 28th of June in the Korean Cup. The game is set for a 7pm kick off at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium. Gwangju FC will be looking for more of the same whereas Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will be looking for a reaction. It’s set for a blockbuster tie on Wednesday.
Gwangju FC: Jun Lee, Doo Hyeon-Seok, Timo Letschert, Ahn Young-Kyu, Lee Min-Gi (Lee Sang-Ki 88’), Jeong Ji-Hoon (Eom Ji-Sung 46’), Lee Kang-Hyeon, Lee Soon-Min, Kim Han-Gil (Sin Chang-Moo 80’), Thomas (Lee Kun-Hee 88’), Lee Heui-Kyun (Jeong Ho-Yeon 66’). Subs not used: Roh Hee-Dong, Kim Kyung-Jae.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors: Kim Jeong-Hoon, Jung Woo-Jae, Jeong Tae-Wook, Choi Chul-Soon (Park Chang-Woo 77’), Han Gyo-Won (Moon Seon-Min 68’), Park Jin-Seob, Ryu Jae-Moon, Lee Dong-Jun (Cho Gue-Sung 46’), Rafael Silva (Song Min-Kyu 46’), Gustavo (Jun Amano 83’). Subs not used: Jeong Min-Ki, Kim Geon-Woong.
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
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