Jung Kyung-ho, the Strategist and Guide of Kangwon FC in the Korea Professional Football League
[MyDaily at Seoul World Cup Stadium – Reporter Choi Byung-jin] In a surprising turn of events, Coach Jung Kyung-ho of Kangwon FC found himself wielding a 'megaphone' after a challenging match.
In a fiercely contested battle against FC Seoul during the 34th round of the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' held on the 26th, Kangwon FC faced a disheartening 2-4 defeat at the iconic Seoul World Cup Stadium.
The loss was particularly jarring for Kangwon, as they had exerted considerable dominance in the first half. Employing a relentless forward press, Kangwon managed to stifle Seoul’s offensive strategies effectively. This tactical prowess was complemented by a seamless build-up, which allowed them to gain the upper hand. Kim Gun-hee capitalized on this with a well-timed goal in the first half, and Mo Jae-hyun extended their lead with a penalty kick at the dawn of the second half.
However, the narrative shifted dramatically from the 27th minute of the second half. Kangwon's defense crumbled, conceding three goals in a rapid seven-minute onslaught. Lingard scored twice, followed by a comeback goal from Ryu Jae-moon, and the match was sealed with Chun Sung-hoon's decisive strike in the dying minutes.
After this unexpected defeat, Kangwon's traveling supporters presented a megaphone to Coach Jung. This gesture was emblematic of broader concerns than just the loss to Seoul.
In recent matches, Kangwon has exhibited a distressing pattern of inconsistency between halves. While the team shines under Coach Jung’s strategic 'game model' during the first half, dominating opponents, a stark decline in performance is witnessed in the latter half.
Kangwon FC in the Context of the Korea Professional Football League
This recurring issue was evident in their match against FC Anyang (Round 32), where a slender 1-0 lead was squandered by conceding a late equalizer. Similarly, against Daegu FC, a commanding 2-0 advantage dissolved into a 2-2 stalemate. The trend continued in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) clash with Vissel Kobe, where a 3-0 first-half lead evaporated into a 3-3 draw. Although they eventually eked out a win courtesy of Kim Gun-hee’s last-minute heroics, the growing sentiment of unease culminated in the bitter comeback defeat to Seoul.
The fans of Kangwon voiced their mounting frustration over these performances, prompting Coach Jung to address them through the megaphone, extending his apologies. During the subsequent press conference, he reflected, "I understand the fans’ disappointment, possibly even more deep-rooted than ours. They constantly urge us for a stronger second-half push. I accept this responsibility and am determined to address it effectively."
While enhancing second-half performance is undeniably crucial, the issue of the 'megaphone' sparked divided opinions. Last season, Kangwon's remarkable achievement of finishing as runners-up and their consistent placement in Final A for two years sparked debate. Currently third in the ACLE standings with six points from two wins and one loss, a K League official pondered if the criticism was excessive given Kangwon's stature and recent performances.
Jung Kyung-ho, Helmsman of Kangwon FC in the Korea Professional Football League
The decisive factor in Seoul's victory was the influence of their substitutes. This season, the absence of impactful foreign players has been a notable Achilles' heel for Kangwon. In this match, Lingard played a pivotal 'game changer' role, while Kangwon suffered from Gabriel's suspension due to yellow card accumulation, leaving their bench devoid of foreign talent. This raises pertinent questions about the merit of achieving commendable results with a mostly domestic lineup. A K League official observed, "Moreover, isn’t this Coach Jung’s debut season in an official capacity as head coach?" It highlights that while refining second-half strategies and substitution tactics are essential, a balanced perspective is equally vital.
Coach Jung elaborated on his internal struggles, sharing, "The pursuit of analyzing our rivals keeps me awake at night," and emphasized, "Reflecting on our past achievements, from last year’s runners-up position to reaching Final A this season, our progress is evident. As a coach, I am growing alongside the team." He concluded with acknowledgment of fans’ aspirations for greater glory and assured improvements in second-half performances, imploring for continued support and unity.