Jung Kyung-ho, at the helm of Kangwon FC in the Korea Professional Football League
[Reporter Choi Byung-jin, MyDaily at Seoul World Cup Stadium] The spotlight turned to Coach Jung Kyung-ho of Kangwon FC, who was handed a 'megaphone.'
Kangwon FC faced a 2-4 defeat against FC Seoul in the 34th round of the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' match at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 26th.
This loss, which saw Kangwon squander a lead, was surprising. In the first half, Kangwon's aggressive forward play stifled Seoul's attack strategies. They dominated the game with strategic build-ups, which allowed Kim Gun-hee to score initially, and Mo Jae-hyun to extend the lead early in the second half through a penalty kick.
However, things took a dramatic turn from the 27th minute of the second half, with Kangwon conceding three goals within seven minutes, which led to their downfall. Lingard's brace, followed by a goal from Ryu Jae-moon, and Chun Sung-hoon's late strike ensured Seoul's victory.
Post-match, Kangwon's traveling supporters offered Coach Jung a megaphone, which was not just a response to the Seoul defeat alone.
Kangwon has recently displayed a pattern where the first half performances are strong under Coach Jung's strategies, but the team tends to falter in the second half.
Kangwon FC in the Korea Professional Football League
In their clash with FC Anyang (Round 32), Kangwon, leading 1-0, allowed a late equalizer. Similarly, a 2-0 advantage against Daegu FC resulted in a 2-2 tie. During the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) match against Vissel Kobe, a 3-0 first-half lead was squandered, ending in a 3-3 draw in the second half. Although Kim Gun-hee's goal in extra time secured a win, these collapses contributed to growing concerns, highlighted by the recent setback against Seoul.
Fans voiced their dissatisfaction with these inconsistent performances, prompting Coach Jung to address them with a megaphone, offering his apologies. In a subsequent press conference, Coach Jung acknowledged, "The fans likely share similar sentiments. Their disappointment probably surpasses ours. They've urged us to intensify our efforts in the second half. I accept the criticism and am focused on improvement."
While it's clear that improving second-half performance is crucial, opinions vary regarding the 'megaphone' symbolic gesture aimed at Coach Jung. Last season, Kangwon unexpectedly finished as runners-up, achieving Final A status for two consecutive years, and currently sit third in ACLE with 6 points from two wins and one loss. A K League official pondered, "Given Kangwon's current standing and club size, is this level of criticism warranted?"
Jung Kyung-ho, leading Kangwon FC in the Korea Professional Football League
The turning point in Seoul's favor was attributed to the strength of their substitute players. This season, Kangwon's foreign player lineup has been a notable weakness, and this match was no exception. Lingard's performance was pivotal, while Kangwon, missing foreign talent on the bench due to Gabriel's suspension for accumulated yellow cards, raises questions about the feasibility of competing with a mostly domestic team. An official previously mentioned added, "Furthermore, isn't this Coach Jung’s inaugural season in the head coach role?" While improving second-half strategies and effective substitutions remain key tasks for Coach Jung, a realistic outlook is essential.
Coach Jung candidly shared his mixed emotions, stating, "I am losing sleep analyzing our opponents," and emphasized, "Reflecting on our history, we were runners-up last year and reached Final A this year, showing undeniable progress. The same applies to my growth as a coach." He added, "I fully grasp that the fans crave higher achievements and better performances. I pledge to enhance our second-half play. Now is the time for us to unite and support each other," he urged.