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| ◇photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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Gangwon FC won its first Asian stage victory with a come-from-behind victory over Shanghai Shenhua (China).
Gangwon came from behind to win 2-1 in the first leg of the 2025-2026 Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) League Stage against Shanghai Sunhwa at Songam Sports Town in Chuncheon on the 16th. Gangwon, which was founded in 2008 and has appeared in the K-League since the following year, set a new milestone in the club's company by winning a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the first round of the ACLE League Stage, which advanced to second place in the K-League last year.
Gangwon coach Chung Kyung-ho changed all the starting lineup he made against FC Seoul on the 13th. Gabriel was placed at the front line and Chae Byung-chan and Kim Do-hyun were placed on the left and right sides. Kim Dae-woo, Kim Kang-guk, Koo Bon-cheol in the midfield, Hong Chul, Cho Hyun-tae, Park Ho-young, Yoon Il-rok in the defense line, and Lee Kwang-yeon in 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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Gangwon took the lead from the beginning of the game. In the 9th minute of the first half, Gabriel pushed a cross from Hong Chul's left foot in front of the gate from a free kick opportunity near the left side of the penalty area in Shanghai's Shenhua camp, but it was ruled offside. In the 23rd minute of the first half, Koo Bon-cheol dropped a cross from the left with a header from the right side of the gate, and Gabriel connected it with a shot in front of the gate, but it was missed and failed to lead to a goal. In the 32nd minute of the first half, Hong Chul's free kick from the left side of the Shanghai camp led to Cho Hyun-tae's right-footed shot, which was rushing to the right side of the gate, but he hit the side net. In the 43rd minute of the first half, Hong Chul tried to shoot himself in the free-kick opportunity that Gabriel got in front of the arc, but he had to swallow his disappointment as he crossed over the crossbar.
The price of failing to take advantage of the chance was the loss. Gangwon allowed Shanghai Shenhua to score the first goal in the extra time of the first half. In a free kick opportunity allowed from the left side of the center circle, the pass was connected to Tesheira, who was standing outside the left side of the penalty area. Gangwon's defense team entered the defense late, but Tesheira entered the penalty area to the left, beat the defense, and connected a right-footed shot to break the net. Gangwon finished the first half behind 0-1.
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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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Gangwon launched a counterattack at the start of the second half. However, Chae Byung-chan, who was breaking through in front of the gate, tripped over the opponent's tackle and complained of pain, and eventually faced a variable that led to signs saying he could no longer play. Coach Chung put in Mo Jae-hyun instead of Chae Byung-chan, who was injured in the 7th minute of the second half, and sent out Kim Dae-won and Seo Min-woo instead of Kim Kang-guk and Yoon Il-rok.
An equalizer was scored immediately. In the 8th minute of the second half, Koo Bon-cheol pushed the ball to the right of the arc to Hong Chul, who was rushing to the left while the opponent's defense was losing concentration in the throw-in on the right side of the Shanghai camp, and Hong Chul connected a left-footed shot to cut the net to tie the score 1-1.
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| ◇photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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Gangwon, which set the tone again after the equalizer, scored a come-from-behind goal. In the 18th minute of the second half, Koo Bon-cheol rushed to the right side of the gate and pushed it with his right foot when Kim Dae-won's shot from the right side of the arc was deflected off the defender.
In the 25th minute of the second half, Shanghai Shenhua coach Slutsky tried to make a change by putting in Chao and Wang Haujian, who excluded Kaotiani and Tesheira. Coach Chung aimed for a decisive goal by sending out Kim Gun-hee without Gabriel. Shanghai Sunhwa launched a counterattack using the left and right sides, but Gangwon continued to take the lead and sought a chance to score a net goal. In the end, Gangwon held a one-goal lead until the end of the 6th minute of extra time, ending its Asian stage debut with a victory.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
