By Pearse McLaughlin
Its Jeonbuk who claim all three points here at Jeonju World Cup Stadium as they came out comfortable 2-0 winners over Gwangju FC. Moon Seon-Min was the star of the show as he grabbed a two-minute brace to break down a stubborn Gwangju FC defence and give Jeonbuk their first win of the season.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors boss, Kim Sang-Sik has altered his formation from the 4-1-4-1 formation that drew last time out with Suwon Samsung Bluewings to a more rigid 4-4-2 formation. Jeonbuk have also made three changes to their starting line-up as Park Jin-Seop, Jun Amano, Lee Soo-Bin are all replaced by Jeong Tae-Wook, Mae Seong-Ung and Moon Seon-Min. Gwangju FC boss, Lee Jung-Hyo has done a tactical reshape from the 3-4-2-1 formation after falling to defeat last time out against FC Seoul and has gone with the tried and trusted 4-4-2 formation. There are three changes made as the suspended Eom Ji-Sung, Doo Hyun-Seok, Sandro Lima are all replaced by Lee Sang-Gi, Yool Heo and Jeong Ji-Hoon as Gwangju FC will be looking for a more positive result.
In an unusual turn of events saw Gwangju FC boss Lee Jung-Hyo turn to his bench just shy of the 20-minute mark as he made a double substitution. Neither player looked to being carrying knocks and looks more of a tactical reshape as Jeong Ji-Hoon and Yool Heo make way for Lee Soon-Min and Thomas.
Just three minutes before the break saw the first major opportunity of the game and it fell the way of the home side and in particular Moon Seon-Min who missed a golden opportunity. Cho Gue-Sung done brilliantly as he ran down the right channel, keeping the ball in-play before firing in a dangerous low cross that met Moon Seon-Min perfectly as he ghosted into the penalty spot where he met the cross but couldn’t divert his first-time effort on target. Big chance missed. It remains 0-0.
It has been a half that has seen few chances for either side in what remains a cagey affair, but Gwangju FC will be the happier of the two sides considering they are the away side. The away side have looked comfortable in possession and have controlled much of the game without creating any clear-cut chances but have also looked resolute at the back. It’s the job of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to come out a bit more and have a real go in the second half as they have been very passive in the opening 45. I would also suggest it won’t be long before Kim Sang-Sik starts ringing the changes to try and grab their first win of the campaign.
A mere five minutes after the restart and it is Gwangju FC who nearly have the breakthrough. Brilliant play by Thomas down the right-hand side as he fired in a low cross which Jasir Asani done brilliantly to take a touch inside a crowded box to get away for his marker before skewing his effort well wide of the target.
Golden opportunity squandered on the 53rd minute by the away side and this time it is big central defender Timo Letschert who ballooned his free header over the bar from inside the six-yard-box. Jasir took the short corner from the right-hand side before facing up his defender and chopping back on to his unfavoured right foot, but he dug out an inch perfect cross that met the forehead of Timo Letschert, but he couldn’t keep his effort down. Big let off for Jeonbuk as the score remains 0-0.
Breakthrough for the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on the 73rd minute courtesy of Moon Seon-Min whose curling effort is guided to perfection in the top right-hand corner. Unstoppable effort. 1-0 Jeonbuk.
A complete collapse now by Gwangju FC as they have conceded straight from kick off and it is that man yet again Moon Seon-Min as he completes an impressive two-minute brace. It was great initial play by striker Cho Gue-Sung as he fired a low rasping effort that was goal bound but all Kim Kyeong-Min could do was divert straight into the path of Moon Seon-Min who gleefully accepted the gift and fired the ball high into the roof of the empty net. Fantastic turnaround by the record champions. 2-0 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
It finishes two nil to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in what was an evenly fought contest for the best part of an hour. But Jeonbuk showed their class and in particular a man of the match performance from Moon Seon-Min inspired victory for the home side and grabbed his side their first league win of the season at the third attempt.
Next up for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors is an away trip next Sunday the 19th of March to face Daegu FC where they will be hoping to make it back-to-back victories to kick on their campaign and push up the table. Next up for Gwangju FC is a match at home next Saturday the 18th of March where they will host Incheon United and be looking to stop the rut of consecutive 2-0 defeats.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors: Jeong Min-Ki, Kim Moon-Hwan, Jeong Tae-Wook, Hong Jeong-Ho, Kim Jin-Su (Jung Woo-Jae 90+1’), Song Min-Kyu (Han Gyo-Won 90+1’), Paik Seung-Ho, Mae Seong-Ung (Kim Geon-Woong 84’), Moon Seon-Min (Gustavo 84’), Cho Gue-Sung, Andre Luis (Rafael Silva 53’). Subs not used: Kim Jeong-Hoon, Yun Young-Sun.
Gwangju FC: Kim Kyeong-Min, Lee Sang-Gi, Timo Letschert, Ahn Young-Kyu, Lee Min-GI, Jasir Asani (Sandro Lima 68’), Jeong Ho-Yeon, Park Han-Bin (Lee Kang-Hyeon 68’), Jeong Ji-Hoon (Lee Soon-Min 19’), Yool Heo (Thomas 19’), Lee Heui-Kyun (Doo Hyeon-Seok 59’). Subs not used: Jun Lee, Aaron Calver, Lee Kun-Hee.
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
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