Gangwon coach Jung Kyung-ho wanted to keep his promise with the tough-minded players for his first victory in the rotation
Sep 16, 2025
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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.
Coach Chung changed both the starting lineup against FC Seoul on the 13th and that day. With the split approaching, the decision is full of concerns about performing in both K League 1 and ACLE. Considering that the opponent is Shanghai Shenhua, who is competing to win the Chinese Super League, this match-winner could have been a self-imposed move at home. Gangwon seemed to be on the verge of losing extra time after leading the attack throughout the first half, but eventually gave home fans a victory thanks to Hong Chul's equalizer in the eighth minute of the second half and Koo Bon-cheol's comeback goal in the 18th minute of the second half.
Coach Chung said in a press conference after the game that `a lot of time has passed as a founding member of Gangwon Province. It is an honor to participate in a big competition called ACLE and play the role of coach. I didn't expect to win the first game. I think our players prepared well. Thanks to the players, I was able to win. The dualization of K League 1 and ACLE seems to have motivated the players greatly. I said let's go with the flow today, but I want to tell our players that they did a great job today" he expressed his delight. He also considered the composition of the best members, but the dualization was part of his promise to the players. There are players who prepared for the match against Shanghai Shenhua, but I didn't want to ruin the team's atmosphere because of my greed. I wanted to abide by the principles,' he said, revealing the background of the rotation. In fact, the first half was expected to be 0-0. I tried to play a game in the second half, but I lost a point in the extra time of the first half. I actually scolded the players a little bit. It felt like my concentration and energy were dispersed"I thought about the timing of making a second-half change, but the change seems to be effective." As for Choi Byung-chan, who was taken out due to an injury early in the second half, "There is a blow to the foot, and I think I will have to take an X-ray. He is an important player who gives energy to our team, and I hope it's not a big injury."
Coach Chung said, `Citizen's team Gwangju made a tremendous achievement in the last tournament. We may be able to achieve the same results as Gwangju, but I hope we will be challenging and produce results. "We will try to solve the part that needs to be combined with the league as smart as possible. We will enter Final A in K League 1 and make it an opportunity to promote our team by showing our color and challenge spirit as Gwangju became a sensation in ACLE. Now that he won his first victory, his goal is to win as soon as possible. Now, rather than setting any goals in ACLE, I think we should focus on playing well one game at a time."
Koo Bon-cheol, who was selected as MOM on this day, was the first ACLE since the foundation of the club, and it was my first experience as well. I'm really happy to be able to help the team win." He "I prepared today thinking it was an opportunity not to come again. I think that's why I have a good chance."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
