By Pearse McLaughlin
Yang Hyung-Jun scored a dramatic 96th minute winner to give Gangwon FC a shock victory over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. This is now the second home defeat this week by Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors which leaves them both looked on 10 points after 10 games. Serious questions must be asked of Kim Sang-Sik as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are a million miles away from title contenders and will be lucky to stay in the division under his tutelage.
Kim Sang-Sik has slightly altered his formation from the 3-4-3 formation that lost last time out at home to Daejeon Hana Citizen 2-1 and have gone with the 3-4-1-2 formation. Kim Sang-Sik has made wholesale changes to his side as looks to bounce back to winning ways, in comes Song Min-Kyu, Jun Amano, Kim Geon-Ung, Kim Moon-Hwan, Lee Soo-Bin to replace Lee Min-Hyuk, Han Gyo-Won, Maeng Seong-Ung, Paik Seung-Ho and Jung Woo-Jae.
No changes in personnel or formation as Choi Yong-Soo went with the same side that masterminded a famous 3-2 victory over title chasers FC Seoul.
On the 23rd minute and the first major opportunity for either side and it falls the way of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Rafael Silva stretched effort hits off the post and is cleared behind for a corner. The resulting corner came to nothing. It was almost an immediate impact from substitute Gustavo who used his physical presence to cause mayhem as he laid the ball off to his strike partner. Rafael Silva couldn’t get any real venom behind the effort as he was crowded out well by the Gangwon FC.
Gustavo replaced the injured Song Min-Kyu who had to be stretched off following a robust challenge, hopefully it’s not too serious and he can make a speedy recovery!
10 minutes before halftime, Lee Soo-Bin unleashed a thunderous effort on goal which was destined for the side netting, but the Lee Kwang-Yeon was equal to it. Lee Soo-Bin found a pocket of space from about 35 yards out and tried his luck with a great effort, but it was an even better save.
The resulting corner and Lee Kwang-Yeon fumbled Gustavo’s header but reacted quickly to deny Kim Geon-Woong an easy tap in as he deflected his effort behind for another corner. It remains 0-0 thanks to the heroics of Lee Kwang-Yeon.
It remains level at the break as it is attack versus defence with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors throwing everything at Gangwon FC but to no avail. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will need to offer something different otherwise it will be a frustrating afternoon for the home side. There haven’t been many clear-cut opportunities by either side, but Gangwon FC surely must attack more as they haven’t offered anything going forward but they do look resolute at the back.
On the 64th minute and half-time substitute Kim Dae-Won forced a tremendous save out of Kim Jeong-Hoon and the only save he has had to make so far. It was a swift counterattack that was extremely dangerous and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors looking to be losing grip on this game and playing into Gangwon FC’s hands. Kim Dae-Won unleashed a powerful from the angle of the box on the right-hand side which stung the palms of Kim Jeong-Hoon who tipped it over the bar. Fantastic opportunity for the away side.
A mere five minute later and Rafael Silva chested the ball down in the box before swivelling and attempting the volley but caught Kim Young-Bin in the process, the ball broke on the edge of the box where Gustavo and Jun Amano stood. Jun Amano and Gustavo both went for the ball, but it was Amano who got the final connection as his left footed volley looked to be in on first viewing but went narrowly wide of the left-hand post. It most likely would have been ruled out by VAR for a foul on Kim Young-Bin.
Into the 6th minute added off time of the allotted 4 minutes and Gangwon FC have only gone and snatched victory. Yang Hyung-Jun outmuscled Kim Geon-Woon before running through 1-on-1 with the keeper rushing out to close the angle and Yang Hyung-Jun had the composure and audacity to delicately dink the keeper. Outrageous skill and a goal fit to win any game.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are furious with the decision to allow the goal to stand and some of their players lost their heads with Hong Jeong-Ho receiving two yellow cards in quick succession and in doing so received his marching orders. Kim Moon-Hwan also had too much to say to the referee and received a straight red card and leave Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors finishing the game with 9 men. Major blow for the home side as they suffer a humiliating defeat at home but also will be without two of their key men at the back next time out.
It was a match full of drama and as the game grew on Gangwon FC did look the most likely team to score on the counterattack. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors could have played two games and still wouldn’t have scored. They missed key men in Song Min-Kyu who came of injured in the first half and their talisman Cho Gue-Sung who wasn’t in the matchday squad as he was also injured. A special mention from me to Lee Kwang-Yeon who was in majestic form and stopped anything that got through that stubborn Gangwon FC defence, he was my man of the match.
Next up for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors is up against tough opposition next time out on Friday the 5th of May where they travel to the capital to face FC Seoul who currently occupy 2nd spot in the league table at the time of writing. I can only see one winner and that is FC Seoul as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are struggling for form and have Lost 3 out of the last 5 games, 2 defeats in a row and they occupy 9th position in the table.
Next up for Gangwon FC is a home match against K-League 2 side Cheongju FC in the Korean Cup on Tuesday the 2nd of May before returning to K-League 1 action on Saturday the 6th of May where they will travel to Suwon FC.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors: Kim Jeong-Hoon, Jeong Tae-Wook, Kim Geon-Ung, Hong Jeong-Ho, Kim Moon-Hwan, Park Jin-Seob, Lee Soo-Bin (Paik Seung-Ho 71’), Park Chang-Woo (Jung Woo-Jae 46’), Jun Amano (Andre Luis 71’), Rafael Silva, Song Min-Kyu (Gustavo 23’). Subs not used: Woo Jae Woong, Han Kyo-Won, Choi Chul-Soon, Gong Si-Hyeon.
Gangwon FC: Lee Kwang-Yeon, Lee Woong-Hee (Kim Woo-Seok 86’), Kim Young-Bin, Yun Suk-Young, Yu In-Soo (Kim Jin-Ho 77’), Han Kook-Young (Ikrom Alibaev 87’), Seo Min-Woo, Jung Seung-Yong, Kim Dae-Woo (Kim Dae-Won 46’), Park Sang-Hyeok (Galego 46’), Yang Hyun-Jun. Subs not used: Yoo Sang-Hoon, Rim Chang-Woo.
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
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