Profile: Jung Kyung-ho, Head Coach of Kangwon FC/K League 1
[MyDaily, Seoul World Cup Stadium - By Reporter Choi Byung-jin] In the aftermath of a challenging game, Coach Jung Kyung-ho of Kangwon FC resorted to a 'megaphone' to communicate with fans.
Kangwon FC's performance culminated in a 2-4 defeat against FC Seoul during the 34th round of the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' on October 26th at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
The unexpected loss was particularly distressing for Kangwon. Initially, they exhibited aggressive forward pressing, hindering Seoul's offensive strategies. Their strategic build-up led to a first-half goal by Kim Gun-hee, with Mo Jae-hyun extending the lead early in the second half through a penalty kick.
Despite their initial advantage, Kangwon's defense faltered after the 72nd minute, conceding three goals in a mere seven-minute stretch. Lingard's dual goals, Ryu Jae-moon's equalizer, and Chun Sung-hoon's closing goal marked their defeat.
The reaction from Kangwon's traveling supporters post-match included the symbolic gesture of passing a megaphone to Coach Jung. This wasn't only a reaction to the recent match.
Kangwon's pattern of first-half dominance paired with second-half collapses has been a recurring theme. Coach Jung's tactical approach is effective initially, yet the team struggles to maintain momentum after halftime.
Kangwon FC's Performance/Korea Professional Football League
In previous encounters, such as against FC Anyang (Round 32), a late equalizer nullified Kangwon's 1-0 lead. Similarly, they relinquished a 2-0 lead against Daegu FC, resulting in a draw. The AFC Champions League Elite match against Vissel Kobe saw a 3-0 lead dissolve into a 3-3 tie, only salvaged by Kim Gun-hee's decisive extra-time goal. The trend of second-half underperformance has amplified anxieties among fans, culminating in the recent loss to Seoul.
The fans' displeasure was evident, prompting Coach Jung to address them directly with a megaphone. During the press conference, he acknowledged, "Our fans likely share our disappointment and have urged us to maintain intensity in the second half. I take full responsibility and am committed to enhancing our performance."
While the necessity of second-half improvement is clear, opinions diverge on the appropriateness of the 'megaphone' incident. Despite Kangwon's unanticipated runner-up finish last season and consecutive qualifications for Final A, coupled with their current third place in the ACLE from 2 wins and 1 loss, some argue the criticism might be disproportionate given the club's size and resources.
Profile: Jung Kyung-ho, Head Coach of Kangwon FC/Korea Professional Football League
A significant facet of Seoul's comeback was attributed to their bench strength, highlighting Kangwon's struggle with foreign player depth, exacerbated by Gabriel's suspension due to yellow card accumulation. This situation raises questions about the viability of achieving competitive results with a mostly domestic lineup. A league official noted, "Considering this is Coach Jung's inaugural official season, the current expectations might need recalibration." Addressing second-half strategies and optimizing substitutions remains a crucial task for Coach Jung, yet a balanced perspective on the team's current trajectory is essential.
Coach Jung expressed the complexities of his role, indicating, "I'm constantly analyzing opponents, often losing sleep in the process." He emphasized the team's achievements, noting their runner-up finish last year and current standing in Final A as evidence of progression. "Our goal is to meet fans' aspirations for greater achievements and performances. Improvement in our second-half play is paramount. It is time for collective support and effort," he concluded.