Profile: Coach Jung Kyung-ho of Kangwon FC/Participant in the Korea Professional Football League

[MyDaily, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Analysis by Choi Byung-jin] Coach Jung Kyung-ho of Kangwon FC resorted to using a 'megaphone' as a symbolic gesture.

In a significant clash during the 'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' round 34, Kangwon FC endured a 2-4 loss to FC Seoul at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 26th.

The nature of Kangwon's defeat was particularly startling. Initially, Kangwon implemented an aggressive forward-pressing strategy, hindering Seoul's attacking continuity. They capitalized on this by focusing on a cohesive build-up strategy. This led to Kim Gun-hee scoring in the first half, with Mo Jae-hyun converting a penalty kick shortly after the second half began.

Nevertheless, the momentum shifted dramatically as Kangwon conceded three goals in a span of seven minutes beginning at the 27th minute of the second half. Lingard netted multiple goals, Ryu Jae-moon added a comeback goal, and Chun Sung-hoon secured the win for Seoul with a final goal.

Following the match, away fans presented Coach Jung with a megaphone, which was not merely a reaction to the team's latest defeat.

A pattern has emerged with Kangwon consistently underperforming in the second half. While Coach Jung's strategic planning appears effective initially, delivering dominant first-half performances, the team frequently falters in the latter stages.

Profile: Kangwon FC/Korea Professional Football League

This inconsistency was evident in a series of recent matches: in Round 32 against FC Anyang, Kangwon allowed an equalizer after leading 1-0; against Daegu FC, a 2-0 advantage dissipated into a draw. In the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) against Vissel Kobe, a 3-0 first-half lead concluded in a 3-3 draw, despite securing a win via Kim Gun-hee's extra-time goal. This sequence of events led to heightened 'anxiety' and culminated in the disheartening loss to Seoul.

The team's supporters voiced their dissatisfaction, compelling Coach Jung to face them with a megaphone to issue an apology. During a press briefing, Coach Jung acknowledged, "The fans likely share this sentiment. Their disappointment likely surpasses ours. They've persistently urged for more tenacity in the second half. I accept responsibility and intend to address these valid concerns."

While Coach Jung's second-half tactical adjustments remain a focal point, the 'megaphone' incident invites conflicting views. Despite Kangwon's unexpected runner-up finish last season and their consecutive entries into Final A, they hold third place in the ACLE standings with 6 points from two wins and one loss. A league insider pondered, "Given Kangwon's current standing and club scale, is the extent of this criticism justified?"

Profile: Coach Jung Kyung-ho of Kangwon FC/Korea Professional Football League

A critical element in Seoul's comeback was the superior quality of their substitute players. This season, Kangwon's reliance on domestic talent, exacerbated by issues such as Gabriel's suspension due to yellow card accumulation, has highlighted their vulnerability. Lingard's impactful performance as a 'game changer' contrasts sharply with Kangwon's lack of foreign substitutes. The question arises: is it plausible for Kangwon to achieve commendable outcomes with primarily domestic players? Reflecting on these challenges, an official remarked, "Isn't this Coach Jung's inaugural season as head coach? While enhancing second-half strategies and substitution tactics is essential, a pragmatic evaluation is also warranted."

Coach Jung articulated his ambivalence, stating, "I am losing sleep in my efforts to analyze our opponents," and underscoring, "Our advancement is evident—we were runners-up last year and now in Final A. There is clear progression, both for the team and myself as a coach." He continued, "I recognize the fans' desire for heightened successes and superior performances. I am committed to improving second-half outcomes and call for unified support," he concluded.