Jung Kyung-ho, Head Coach of Kangwon FC in the Korea Professional Football League
[MyDaily = Seoul World Cup Stadium, Reporter Choi Byung-jin] Coach Jung Kyung-ho of Kangwon FC was given a megaphone by the supporters.
Kangwon FC experienced a 2-4 defeat against FC Seoul during the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' round 34 match at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 26th.
The comeback loss proved challenging for Kangwon FC. Initially, strong forward pressing by Kangwon in the first half disrupted Seoul's attack. Kangwon was able to control the game through effective build-up play, resulting in a goal from Kim Gun-hee in the first half, followed by a penalty kick scored by Mo Jae-hyun at the beginning of the second half.
However, from the 27th minute of the second half, Kangwon conceded three goals within seven minutes. Lingard scored twice, followed by a goal from Ryu Jae-moon, and Chun Sung-hoon concluded the match with a final goal.
Following the match, Kangwon's traveling supporters handed Coach Jung a megaphone. This gesture was not only a reaction to the loss against Seoul.
Kangwon's performance discrepancy between the first and second halves has become notable. In the first half, Coach Jung's strategy is effective in overpowering opponents, but the team faces difficulties in the second half.
Kangwon FC/Korea Professional Football League
During a match against FC Anyang (Round 32), Kangwon was leading 1-0 but allowed a late equalizer in the second half. Similarly, a 2-0 lead against Daegu FC resulted in a 2-2 draw. In the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) match against Vissel Kobe, a 3-0 first-half lead turned into a 3-3 draw. Although Kim Gun-hee's extra-time goal secured a win, concerns persisted, culminating in the comeback defeat to Seoul.
Kangwon fans expressed dissatisfaction with recent performances, prompting Coach Jung to apologize using a megaphone. In a post-match press conference, he stated, "The fans likely feel the same as we do. They must be even more disappointed. They've urged us to maintain our performance in the second half. I accept responsibility and aim for improvement."
While addressing second-half performance is necessary, the decision to give Coach Jung a megaphone has sparked discussion. Last season, Kangwon finished as runners-up and reached Final A for two consecutive years. They currently hold third place in the ACLE with 6 points from 2 wins and 1 loss. A K League official questioned whether the criticism is justified given Kangwon's achievements and club size.
Jung Kyung-ho, Head Coach of Kangwon FC in the Korea Professional Football League
The turnaround in the match was influenced by the quality of Seoul's substitutes. This season, Kangwon has faced challenges with foreign player availability, and this match was no exception. With Lingard as a key player, Kangwon had no foreign substitutes due to Gabriel's suspension from accumulated yellow cards. This situation raises the question of whether achieving good results with a mostly domestic team is noteworthy. An official noted, "Furthermore, isn't this Coach Jung's first full season as head coach?" While improving second-half strategy and substitution decisions are areas for development, considering a realistic perspective is also necessary.
Coach Jung expressed his dedication to analyzing opposing teams. "I'm losing sleep to study our opponents," he stated, adding, "Looking at our past achievements, we were runners-up last season and reached Final A this year, demonstrating our growth. This applies to me as a coach as well." He acknowledged, "I understand that fans desire higher achievements and better performances. I will work on enhancing our second-half play. Now is the time for collective support," he appealed for backing.