Profile: Coach Jung Kyung-ho, Kangwon FC / Korean Professional Football League
[Analysis by MyDaily, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Choi Byung-jin] Coach Jung Kyung-ho of Kangwon FC notably resorted to using a megaphone to address recent controversies.
Kangwon FC experienced a 2-4 setback against FC Seoul in the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' Round 34, held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 26th.
This loss was particularly impactful for Kangwon, given their initial dominance. Throughout the first half, Kangwon's aggressive forward pressure significantly hindered Seoul's offensive efforts. Concurrently, Kangwon's cohesive build-up play allowed them to gain early control of the match, resulting in Kim Gun-hee scoring in the first half and Mo Jae-hyun converting a penalty kick at the onset of the second half.
However, critical defensive lapses occurred after the 72nd minute, as Kangwon conceded three goals in a rapid seven-minute interval. Lingard's multiple goals, followed by Ryu Jae-moon's equalizer and Chun Sung-hoon's clinching goal, led to Kangwon's defeat.
Post-match, Kangwon's traveling fans presented Coach Jung with a megaphone, highlighting an underlying issue beyond the Seoul defeat.
A noticeable trend has emerged in Kangwon's recent performances, where first-half tactics effectively dominate, but the team falters in the latter stages of the match, undermining their efforts.
Kangwon FC / Korean Professional Football League
This pattern was evident in their Round 32 game against FC Anyang, where a 1-0 lead was nullified by a late equalizer. Similarly, matches against Daegu FC and Vissel Kobe saw significant leads dissipate, resulting in draws. Despite securing an extra-time victory against Vissel Kobe, the persistent inability to maintain a lead culminated in the disheartening comeback loss to Seoul.
Fans have vocalized their dissatisfaction with these trends, prompting Coach Jung to address them directly. He conveyed, "Fans' disappointment is understandable and perhaps greater than ours. Their call for more vigorous second-half performances is valid, and I am committed to addressing these concerns."
While enhancing second-half resilience is imperative, debate persists regarding the symbolic gesture of the megaphone. Despite last season's surprising runner-up finish and consistent top-tier presence, Kangwon currently holds third place in the ACLE with 6 points from 2 victories and 1 loss. A K League official questioned if the criticism matched the club's scale and achievements.
Coach Jung Kyung-ho, Kangwon FC / Korean Professional Football League
The substitution differential notably influenced Seoul's comeback. Kangwon's reliance on domestic talent, exacerbated by the absence of foreign players, such as Gabriel who was suspended due to yellow card accumulation, posed challenges. The efficacy of results achieved without foreign reinforcements is debatable, especially considering this is Coach Jung's inaugural season as head coach. Improving late-game tactics and substitution strategies remains essential, yet a pragmatic appraisal of the club's situation is warranted.
Coach Jung shared his introspective approach, stating, "Analyzing opponents is an exhaustive process, yet our progression is evident from last year's runner-up finish to this year's Final A qualification. Our trajectory is upward." He acknowledged fans' aspirations for superior outcomes, committing to remedying second-half vulnerabilities and calling for collective support in this endeavor.