[골닷컴] Reporter Kang Dong-Hoon = Jeju United, the ‘One Team’ who did not give up even in the midst of dire crisis and who were united by faith, managed to turn the atmosphere around with their first win. Now, continue the flow and challenge the winning streak.
Jeju defeated Gangwon FC 1-0 with Seo Jin-soo’s winning goal in the away round 6 match of Hana 1 QK League 1 2023 held at Chuncheon Songam Sports Town on the 9th at 7:00pm and earned the first win of the season. As concerns outweighed expectations, it was a win that provided more value than just 3 points.
Indeed, even before the game, Jeju was full of question marks. This is because they have fallen to the bottom of the league with 5 consecutive draws (2 draws and 3 losses) since the start of this season. This is the first time that coach Nam Ki-il, who has been in charge of the official K-League command tower for nine seasons since 2015, failed to win until the fifth round after the opening.
The squad’s situation was even worse. Following the loss of captain Choi Yeong-joon due to injury in the opening game, key players such as Lee Chang-min, Lim Chae-min, Jeong-woon, Yeon Je-woon, Jin Seong-wook, Ahn Hyun-beom, and Ahn Tae-hyun was also injured. In fact, only 16 field players took part in the training to prepare for the Gangwon expedition.
The fact that Gangwon was the opponent became a significant burden. Jeju has not won against Gangwon for 8 games (4 draws and 4 losses) since a 1-0 away win at Gangwon on May 25, 2019, until this game. In particular, because it took more than 5 hours for a simple movement, it caused more use of physical strength.
However, Jeju overcame the burden and pressure with football of faith. Under the team’s slogan, ‘Jeju is one!’, they came together as one team. In this belief, there is the sincere mentoring of director Nam, who emphasized, “There are many injured, but let’s go on trusting and relying on each other.”
In addition, Koo Ja-cheol, Kim O-gyu, and Kim Dong-jun, who serve as bridges within the team as captains, encouraged the team, and this power of positivity and faith turned a crisis into an opportunity. Even in crises and trials, hearts united as one. There was no stronger force than this.
Jeju, who regained confidence through football of faith, now turn to the FA Cup. In the 3rd round of the 2023 Hanawon FA Cup Q held at Changwon Football Center on the 12th at 7:00 pm, we will face Changwon City Hall Football Team (K3) to advance to the 4th round.
Currently, Changwon City Hall Football Team is in 7th place in the K3 League with 2 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses and 7 points. Carelessness is forbidden. Considering the tight schedule until Suwon’s 15th expedition, we intend to manage the condition and stamina of the main players in the game and increase the motivation of the team with the best possible rotation. It’s a good thing that Lee Chang-min and Ahn Tae-hyun are starting to recover from injury.
Coach Nam said, “We got the first win we’ve been waiting for, but there are still strong waves ahead. There are a lot of injuries and the burden of three away games in a row. But in the FA Cup , we will enter the field with faith. This is how we trust each other. If you send and have faith, there is no opponent you cannot beat.”
