Sabasports Match Preview
K-League 1: Gangwon FC vs Jeonbuk FC
Kickoff Time: 2025-06-13 18:30 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/KIM SOO-HYEON
Gangwon FC was the runner-up of the K League last season and gained its first participation in the AFC Champions League. However, it is unfortunate that head coach Jung-Hwan Yoon resigned due to disputes over contract renewal. The club hired Chong Kyung-Ho, a Korean striker who participated in the 2006 Germany World Cup, as the new coach, hoping to improve the team’s offensive problems. Unfortunately, Gangwon FC’s attacking power has not improved but rather decreased, scoring only 14 goals in 17 league rounds, making them the worst in terms of attack in the K League. There are multiple reasons for Gangwon FC’s poor performance. Firstly, Coach Chong Kyung-Ho lacks coaching experience. Previously, he only coached half a season for Seongnam FC. At that time, Seongnam FC was relegated. Up until now, they are still struggling in the second division. Secondly, the club adopted a conservative strategy in the transfer market. After key defender Young-bin Kim joined Jeonbuk FC and main winger Min-hyeok Yang joined Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, Gangwon FC’s defensive and offensive systems faced reconstruction. Regrettably, Coach Chong chose to place bets on foreign players, signing Croatian striker duo Franko Kovacevic and Mario Cuze. However, neither of them have adapted well to the rhythm of the K League; the former has only scored one goal so far, while the latter has accumulated only 34 minutes of playing time and has been benched by the coach. In the past, Gangwon FC relied on counter-attacks, utilizing the speed of their wingers and the aerial abilities of their tall strikers to threaten opponents’ defense. Now that there is a lack of creativity in midfield and the forwards are underperforming, Gangwon FC has lost the “dark horse” potential they had last season.
Jeonbuk FC is a traditional powerhouse in the K League, having won the K1 League championship nine times and the Korea Cup five times. They also won the AFC Champions League title in 2006 and 2016. However, in recent years, due to the transition of new and old players and a break in youth training, Jeonbuk FC’s strength has plummeted. Last season, Jeonbuk FC was barely saved from relegation through the promotion/relegation playoff. The club was very dissatisfied with such poor results and decided to hire a world-class coach. Gustavo Poyet from Uruguay was appointed as the new head coach. In order to give Poyet full trust, the club fired the entire coaching staff from last season, allowing Poyet’s coaching staff to take over, only assigning a local assistant coach Jung Jo Gook to coordinate relationships between the coach and the players. Poyet has experience coaching in the top five leagues and international teams. His latest coaching stint was leading the Greek national team in qualifying for the 2024 European Championship. Although he unfortunately failed in the playoff final, losing to Georgia in a penalty shootout, Poyet resigned for responsibility. Since arriving at Jeonbuk FC, Poyet has not let the club’s high expectations down. His offensive football philosophy quickly showed results after some initial simple adjustments. Currently, the team remains undefeated in all competitions for 15 consecutive games, scoring 27 goals in the league and conceding only 12, both their attacking and defensive stats being the best in the K League. Players gain confidence through continuous scoring, and the team gains more sponsorships through continuous victories. The former K League giant has risen again.
Jeonbuk FC plays focus on central midfield coordination and combines with wing attacks. Gangwon FC’s counter-attacking strategy seems passive against Jeonbuk FC. The gap in form between the two teams is obvious, and Jeonbuk FC, which is on the rise, is expected to defeat their opponent and take all three points.
Gangwon FC’ Last 5 Games: LLWDW
25-06-01 Pohang Steelers 2-1 Gangwon FC
25-05-28 Gangwon FC 1-3 FC Anyang
25-05-25 Gwangju FC 0-1 Gangwon FC
25-05-17 Gangwon FC 1-1 Ulsan Hyundai
25-05-14 Gangwon FC 2-1 Siheung Citizen FC
Jeonbuk FC’s Last 5 Games: WWDWW
25-05-31 Jeonbuk FC 3-1 Ulsan Hyundai
25-05-27 Daegu FC 0-4 Jeonbuk FC
25-05-23 Jeju United 0-0 Jeonbuk FC
25-05-17 Jeonbuk FC 2-0 FC Anyang
25-05-14 Daejeon Citizen 2-3 Jeonbuk FC
Head To Head Record:
25-03-09 Jeonbuk FC 0-1 Gangwon FC
24-07-26 Gangwon FC 4-2 Jeonbuk FC
24-05-29 Gangwon FC 2-1 Jeonbuk FC
24-04-07 Jeonbuk FC 2-3 Gangwon FC
23-09-16 Jeonbuk FC 1-3 Gangwon FC
Prediction: Jeonbuk FC to Win