Profile: Coach Jung Kyung-ho of Kangwon FC, Korea Professional Football League
[MyDaily = Seoul World Cup Stadium, Reporter Choi Byung-jin] Coach Jung Kyung-ho of Kangwon FC was handed a 'megaphone' by supporters.
In the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' round 34, Kangwon FC was defeated 2-4 by FC Seoul at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 26th.
The comeback defeat was unexpected for Kangwon, who initially demonstrated dominance. They applied relentless forward pressure, effectively disrupting Seoul’s offensive strategies. Through coordinated build-up tactics, they gained an upper hand, with Kim Gun-hee scoring in the first half and Mo Jae-hyun extending the lead with a penalty at the beginning of the second half.
However, the match took a dramatic turn starting from the 27th minute of the second half when Kangwon conceded three goals in a brief seven-minute window. Lingard netted twice, followed by Ryu Jae-moon's equalizer, and Chun Sung-hoon concluded the game with a decisive goal.
Kangwon's traveling supporters offered a megaphone to Coach Jung post-match, a gesture stemming not solely from the defeat by Seoul.
A pattern has emerged in Kangwon's performances, characterized by a strong first half under Coach Jung’s strategic model, which crumbles in the latter half of the matches.
Kangwon FC in the Korea Professional Football League
In a match against FC Anyang (Round 32), Kangwon relinquished a 1-0 lead with a last-minute equalizer. Subsequent games mirrored this trend: a 2-0 advantage against Daegu FC ended in a draw, and a 3-0 lead against Vissel Kobe in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) concluded with a 3-3 tie. Despite Kim Gun-hee securing a win in extra time, the palpable anxiety culminated in the recent loss to Seoul.
Fans voiced their dissatisfaction with these performances, leading Coach Jung to address them with a megaphone in apology post-match. During the press conference, he acknowledged, "The fans probably experience our disappointments more acutely. They consistently urge us to intensify efforts in the second half. I accept this criticism and plan to address it."
While rectifying second-half vulnerabilities is a priority, the megaphone given to Coach Jung has sparked debate. Last season, Kangwon's unexpected runner-up finish and consecutive appearances in Final A are noteworthy. Currently, they sit third in the ACLE standings with 6 points from 2 wins and 1 loss. A K League official questioned the severity of the criticism, asking, "Given Kangwon's performance relative to its resources, is this criticism unwarranted?"
Profile: Coach Jung Kyung-ho of Kangwon FC, Korea Professional Football League
A pivotal factor in Seoul's comeback lay in the strength of their substitutes. Kangwon's foreign player roster, a persistent vulnerability, was notably absent this season; Gabriel's suspension due to yellow cards left them without foreign players on the bench. This scenario invites scrutiny over the team's reliance on domestic talent. An official cited earlier remarked, "Consider also that this is Coach Jung’s inaugural official season as head coach.” While refining second-half strategy and substitutions are critical for Coach Jung, a balanced evaluation is essential.
Coach Jung conveyed mixed emotions, stating, "I am deeply engaged in analysis, often at the expense of sleep," and emphasized, "Reflecting on our achievements, we were runners-up last year and secured a position in Final A this season, showcasing our growth as a team and my development as a coach." He acknowledged the supporters’ aspirations for higher accomplishments, pledging to address second-half issues, and called for unified backing from fans.