Profile: Jung Kyung-ho, Kangwon FC Head Coach in the Korea Professional Football League
[MyDaily = Seoul World Cup Stadium, Reporter Choi Byung-jin] During the recent match, Coach Jung Kyung-ho of Kangwon FC was observed using a megaphone.
In the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' round 34 match on the 26th, Kangwon FC was defeated by FC Seoul with a score of 2-4 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
The defeat came as a surprise to Kangwon FC, who had established an early lead. They initially applied significant pressure, hindering FC Seoul's attacks, and demonstrated control through strategic play. This approach led to a goal by Kim Gun-hee in the first half, followed by a successful penalty kick by Mo Jae-hyun early in the second half.
Despite the strong start, Kangwon FC conceded three goals within a short span of seven minutes, starting from the 27th minute of the second half. Lingard scored twice, with Ryu Jae-moon and Chun Sung-hoon adding further goals to secure FC Seoul's victory.
Following the match, the away supporters of Kangwon FC presented Coach Jung with a megaphone, a gesture related to broader issues than just the loss to FC Seoul.
Kangwon FC's recent matches have shown a pattern where their performance declines notably in the second half. Coach Jung's strategies are effective in the first half, resulting in a strong performance, but the team struggles to maintain this in the latter part of the game.
Kangwon FC/Korea Professional Football League
In a previous match against FC Anyang, Kangwon FC allowed an equalizing goal late in the second half despite being ahead 1-0. Similarly, against Daegu FC, a 2-0 lead turned into a 2-2 draw. In the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) match against Vissel Kobe, a 3-0 lead ended in a 3-3 draw, though a late goal by Kim Gun-hee secured a win. These patterns contributed to frustration, culminating in the loss against FC Seoul.
Supporters of Kangwon FC have voiced their dissatisfaction with these outcomes, prompting Coach Jung to address the fans using a megaphone. During the post-game press conference, Coach Jung acknowledged, "The fans likely share our disappointment. We are aware of their call for a stronger second half, and I am committed to addressing this issue."
Addressing second-half performance remains a priority, but the notion of Coach Jung using a megaphone has sparked differing opinions. Despite high expectations, Kangwon FC has achieved significant successes, including finishing as runners-up last season and currently maintaining a strong position in the ACLE. A league official noted, "Given the team's performance and resources, is the criticism warranted?"
Profile: Jung Kyung-ho, Kangwon FC Head Coach in the Korea Professional Football League
FC Seoul's victory was attributed to the depth of their substitute players. Kangwon FC has faced challenges with foreign player availability, including the absence of foreign players in the recent match due to Gabriel's suspension. This situation raises questions about the team's capacity to succeed with a mainly domestic roster. An official commented, "This is Coach Jung's inaugural season as head coach, and while there are areas for improvement, it's crucial to maintain a balanced perspective."
Coach Jung expressed his dedication, stating, "I am focused on analyzing our opponents thoroughly," and noted, "Considering our past achievements, including last year's runner-up position, we are progressing. I recognize the fans' desire for improvement, and I am committed to enhancing our second-half performance. I urge everyone to support our collective efforts."