Director Park Tae-ha → I don't want to do my job Head coach Lee Jung-hyo focuses on soccer over Gwangju disciplinary controversy
May 18, 2025
|
|
Pohang and Gwangju are set to play in the 14th round of the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' held at Pohang Steelyard on the 18th.
It is a showdown between the two teams aiming to leap to the top. Pohang (19 points) and Gwangju (19 points), which are ranked 5th and 6th, respectively, have to take three points to narrow the gap with the top ranks. Victory is needed because the gap with teams in pursuit, such as Gangwon (18 points) in seventh place and Anyang (17 points), in eighth place, is not large.
After six undefeated matches, Pohang, the home team, lost 1-2 against Jeju, breaking the flow, and there is a deviation in performance every game. It was a disappointing performance to rise with two wins, one draw and two losses in the last five league games. The biggest problem is injury. Pohang has recently left even Auberdan due to injury, continuing problems due to the injury gap this season. In order to change the atmosphere, he sat in front of the difficult task of solving the injury gap and maintaining his performance at the same time.
Gwangju, the away team, has a similar trend. Gwangju, which had been undefeated at the beginning of the season and rose to second place, has only won and lost two games in the last five games. Since the 0-7 defeat in the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE), the team has been sluggish with one win, one draw and two losses in four official matches. Victory is desperate for the top-ranked competition.
|
Gwangju, which faces Pohang, has recently attracted attention due to FIFA disciplinary action for failing to pay solidarity contributions. Director Park said, `It's an administrative matter. It's not a matter for us to be involved in, and if it was an administrative problem, we can get reasonable disciplinary action. I think it would be right for us to do our best in the game and do our best in our original duties" he said.
Pohang has recently maintained a stable performance after overcoming the unstable trend at the beginning of the season. Coach Park said, `New players played a lot of roles. That part is the biggest. Although we lost and had damage, I don't think it will collapse in terms of performance. I delivered a message to the players to give them confidence all the time. Recently, as the performance has improved and confidence has gained, the results are good, so it was an opportunity to come up naturally. Rookie players also performed well. It is highly valued that it is competitive. Injured players will also return, and in the second half, Park Seung-wook will also return and be a great help to defense. I hope the injured players will get better when they return" he evaluated.
In Pohang, Auberdan was injured in the last match against Suwon. Director Park said, `We are treating smoothly. It can be an opportunity for other players" he said.
|
Gwangju has been suffering from fatigue since the ACLE schedule. Director Lee said "It's not easy. Still, I'm recovering little by little" he evaluated.
Director Lee pointed out that there are often scenes in which major injuries can occur in the recent aerial ball competition. He is not talking about an adjudication decision. Coach Kim Pan-gon talked about the players' injuries yesterday. I want to be specific about that. Similar things happened in other games. In the match between Jeonbuk Hyundai and FC Anyang, there is a part where Compagno fell tangled with the opponent in the process of competing at the end of the first half. In some cases, some players do not jump in an aerial ball competition. In this case, players get injured a lot. So did our player Cho Sung-kwon, and so did Lee Seung-mo of FC Seoul. I almost got seriously hurt. I think we need protection for that part."
"I think the referees also need to emphasize to the players that it is a dangerous foul on that part. Harry Kane was criticized for the same foul. The players must be aware of it first. I emphasized that to our players. It's a dangerous foul. In a way, players seem to be deliberately making such fouls. I want everyone to be aware. I think the federation needs education on these areas," he added.
During the Korea Cup match against Suwon FC, coach Lee pointed out the problem of the away team's locker room environment. He appeared to need improvement. I thought other directors might be thinking, so I said it because I thought it would be better for me to just talk" he explained.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
