Gangwon 0-1 Gyeongnam- Recap

On a rainy, wind swept Monday evening, Gyeongnam traveled five hours north to play a game against an improving Gangwon outfit, boyant from going to ambitious Seoul Eland and beating them on their turf midweek.  The reds are bottom of the league and after getting beaten by the then basement boys  Chungju 1-0 at home midweek this long tiring journey to Sokcho was the last thing they needed.

But they prevailed and came away with a valuable win 1-0.  Only Gyeongnams second win of a disappointing season to date.  The winner was an absolute wonder strike as well from attacking midfielder #4 Lee Hyo Seok whose left footed 25 yarder bent away from the keeper off the underside of the bar and in with only 10 minutes on the clock remaining.

The game itself wasn't a classic but I thought it was a game of a high standard for the K League challenge level.  Some good players on form for both sides.  I was very impressed with two of Gangwons attacking minded players in midfielder #10 Chae Jin Oh and their athletic forward #9 Chae Sung In, both ran all game and looked like they could ply their trade at a higher level.

Gyeongnam had the best opening chance of the game when re instated forward Milos Stojanovic was sent clean through but on a slight angle, he did everything right and rounded the keeper well but his left footed shot was cleared off the line well by former reds defender and last seasons captain Kim Han Sem.

But Gangwon always looked dangerous on the break going forward and the home sides attacking players were gaining in confidence as the game wore on and tested the away teams keeper a few times.  But they were not really creating too many clear cut chances.  The away team had had a little reshuffle at the back and brought in for his debut former Gangwon stalwart center half  #5 Bae Hyo Sung.  Not sure how old he is but he is nearing 40!!  He was outstanding all game.   Mopping up everything that came his way and he formed a decent partnership with his partner in crime #6 Choi Sung Hwan.

This certainly wasn't a classic, but in the second half as the game was destined for a stalemate, up popped the ever willing running attacking midfielder Lee Ho Seok to smash home the winner on the 80 minute mark.  It got me off my sofa jumping about!!  I'm sure the one Gyeongnam fan and his drum enjoyed it too.

Gangwon pressed and pressed and camped us in our own half for the remainder of the game and there was a great chance for their #20 in the last minute of stoppage time but he shot it straight at the big frame of Son Jeong Hyeon in the away teams goal and he pushed it over the bar.  The whistle went and the southerners could revel in a rare away win but a very precious 3 points to take home indeed.

An another away fixture against Bucheon FC up next for Gyeongnam this Saturday with a 2 pm kick off,  Gangwon travel to Suwon FC this Sunday with a 4 pm kick off there.