Yoon Jeong-hwan, the coach of Gangwon FC, said, “I have never slept peacefully at this time of the year. Gangwon FC, which is on the verge of being demoted in the middle of the 2023 season, competed to stay in the K-League 1 until the very end. Gangwon succeeded in staying in the first part of the K-League 2 Gimpo FC after the promotion and playoffs last season.
Considering the previous season, it was not strange that the soccer community chose Gangwon as the top priority for relegation before the opening of this season. Gangwon completely upset such predictions in the soccer community. With only five games left in this season, Gangwon is ranked third in the K-League 1. It is currently trailing second-ranked Gimcheon Sangmu by two points with 16 wins, seven draws and 10 losses (55 points) in 33 K-League 1 games this season. It is seven points shorter than the first-ranked Ulsan HD. Depending on the results of the remaining games of this season, Gangwon can even surpass the first championship title.
“Many people mentioned that we are likely candidates for demotion,” Yoon said. “It is regrettable that we disappointed them.” Yoon said with a smile, but it was a bone in it.
Gangwon will have a showdown with FC Seoul in round 34 of the K-League 1 of the 2024 season at Gangneung Stadium on Oct. 20. It is the first edition of Gangwon’s Final A.
I listened to director Yoon Jung-hwan’s story.
Q. We are entering the final round that will determine the success or failure of this season. How did you spend your A-match break in October.
“After an away match with Incheon United on Sunday, I rested. I focused on recovery. While checking physical conditions of the players, I gradually increased my training intensity. I also tried to maintain my senses through practice matches. I have been preparing for the match against Seoul since Sunday.
Q. During this period of last season, we risked our lives to survive. How is the stress or burden compared to this period of last season.
This season is much better (laughs). It’s not easy to compete to stay in the K-League 1. Should I say “blood dries up” in every game? This season is not without stress or pressure. When a coach’s job finishes a game, he or she has to put everything into preparation for the next game. It’s always the same that he or she has to produce results. I’m going to do my best until the end.
Q: As Kangwon advanced to the Final A, the team achieved better-than-expected results in the soccer community before the opening of this season. There are few players in Gangwon who have won the championship. This means that the competition is unfamiliar. It will be important to motivate the players strongly.
There is the first thing I want to say to the players. I always say “Thank you” to them. Then, they say, “It’s a waste. Let’s not miss this opportunity.” The coach can tell just by looking at the players’ eyes. Our players are greedy. They seem to want to try. They are confident now as they won an away match in Incheon, a game that was held just before the A-match break in October.
I don’t have anything to say. The players are united. As always, I will trust our players. However, there are things like this. Soccer has many variables. Even in a winning game, there are crises at least once. I try to keep the balance so that I can maintain an appropriate level. I try to convey clearly what I have to do. That’s how we can win.
Q: If you were to pick the best star in Gangwon Province this season, it would be Yang Min-hyuk. However, there is a player who is slightly hidden by Yang Min-hyuk. He has the most goals and most points of attack in Gangwon Province. Just as he gave high school student Yang a chance, he reached out to Lee Sang-hun, who played in only five K League 2 games last season, and gave him a chance. 메이저사이트
It is true that I gave a chance to (Yang) Min-hyuk or (Lee) Sang-heon, but it was the players who took advantage of that opportunity. Sang-heon was very determined to try from the winter training. “I want to succeed,” he said. He displayed his confidence by scoring goals one after another early this season. It is true that he lacked consistency. However, as you saw in the match against Incheon, he went as a substitute and scored multiple goals, leading the team to victory.