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| ◇photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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Pohang Steelers beat Gwangju FC with a dramatic winning goal and succeeded in winning their first victory in the 2025 K League 1.
Pohang came from behind to win 3-2 in the 2025 K League 1 match against Gwangju at Gwangju World Cup Stadium on the 22nd. Pohang, which had been sluggish with three draws and two losses in the previous five games, was dragged away by giving up the first goal on the same day. After succeeding in the reversal, he scored an equalizer in the second half, but Kang Hyun-je scored a theater goal and succeeded in winning his first game of the season. Gwangju, which had one win and four draws in five games, suffered its first loss of the season as it failed to overcome the crisis at the last minute.
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| ◇photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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| ◇photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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| ◇photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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Gwangju coach Lee Jung-hyo, who Asani is out for the Albania national team, deployed afternoon star Lee Kang-hyun, Park Tae-joon and Choi Kyung-rok to the midfield in Hayes Park In-hyuk's two-top. Lee Min-ki, Ahn Young-gyu, Cho Sung-kwon, Kim Jin-ho formed the back four, and Kim Kyung-min defended the goal. Pohang coach Park Tae-ha, who Lee Tae-seok was assigned to Hong Myung-bo, placed Giorgi and Kim In-sung on the left and right, while Lee Ho-jae was assigned to the front line. Kim Dong-jin, Auberdan, Lee Chang-woo was set up in the midfield, and Eo Jung-won, Han Hyun-seo, Jeon Min-kwang, Kang Min-joon, and Hwang In-jae were selected for the goal.
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| ◇photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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| ◇photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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Gwangju scored the first goal six minutes into the game. Hwang In-jae cleared Park In-hyuk's header from a corner kick opportunity from the left side of the Pohang camp, but Cho Sung-kwon, who was rushing to the gate, pushed it in to take a 1-0 lead.
But Pohang soon tied the score. In the 23rd minute of the first half, Oberdan's powerful right-footed mid-range shot from the left side of the arc was sucked into the net after being hit by Kim Kyung-min's hand, and the game went back to 1-1 origin.
Pohang, which gained momentum, even had a chance to turn around in the 33rd minute of the first half. Giorgi attempted a left-footed shot after beating Kim Kyung-min in a solo chance that drove the ball from the midfield. However, he shook his head as the ball hit the post. In the end, the first half ended 1-1.
Coach Lee Jung-hyo took out Lee Min-ki and put in Bruno at the beginning of the second half. Coach Park Tae-ha sent out Kim Jong-woo and Cho Sang-hyuk instead of Kim Dong-jin and Lee Chang-woo to make changes.
In the 7th minute of the second half, Kim Jong-woo, who was pressing in front of the arc, took the ball and connected it to a left-footed shot in the penalty area, but was blocked by Kim Kyung-min.
Pohang, which continued to create opportunities, eventually succeeded in turning the tables. In the 21st minute of the second half, Lee Ho-jae, who played kicker in a penalty kick chance caught by a handball foul following Bruno's ball control mistake, calmly succeeded the opportunity and turned the game around 2-1.
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| ◇photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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| ◇photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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Gwangju, which went on a wave of attacks, cried in the 36th minute of the second half when Hayes attempted a bold turning shot. Since then, Gwangju has consistently attempted to attack based on its dominant share, but Pohang seemed to be approaching victory by counterattacking.
However, Gwangju tied the game. In the 47th minute of the second half, Ju Se-jong raised a corner kick from the right side of the Pohang camp, and Hayes connected the ball that Bruno handed over to the head from the left side of the goal with a header again, turning the game to square one.
Just before the end of the game, a dizzying situation took place. Cho Sung-kwon, who was competing for an aerial ball with Eo Kyung-won, failed to get up after falling heavily. Medical staff were urgently put on the ground, but were eventually taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
Pohang eventually ended the match in the middle of a chaotic situation. In the 50th minute of the second half, Kang Hyun-je, who was digging to the right of the Gwangju camp, attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the gate. Kang Hyun-je pushed the ball blocked by Kim Kyung-min again and shook the net. As the referee ended the game as it was, Pohang finished the game with a thrilling come-from-behind victory by one goal.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
