Gangwon FC secured a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against Pohang Steelers during their home opener of the K League 1 on February 23, 2025, held at Chuncheon Songam Sports Town. The win marked the first victory of the season for Gangwon and the debut win for coach Jeong Kyung-ho, who was pleased to secure the points after suffering a defeat to Daegu FC in their opening match.
The match began with tension as both teams looked to assert dominance. Shortly before halftime, at the 43rd minute, Pohang's Lee Ho-jae struck first with a well-placed header from a corner kick, putting Gangwon behind 0-1 as they headed to the lockers.
Despite their early setback, Gangwon displayed resilience as they came back onto the pitch for the second half determined to equalize. Their efforts paid off on 81 minutes when Lee Ji-ho, receiving an incisive pass from Kim Dong-hyun, deftly maneuvered around the goalkeeper and slotted the ball home to level the match at 1-1. The atmosphere in the stadium erupted with cheers from the home crowd, which included notable fans such as Gangwon's governor Kim Jin-tae.
But Gangwon wasn’t done yet. Just moments later, in injury time, Lee Ji-ho struck again, this time converting a chance provided by Gabriel, sealing the victory with his second goal and sending the home fans wild.
During the post-match interviews, Coach Jeong remarked on the importance of the win, attributing the triumph to the unwavering support of the fans. “The electrifying atmosphere created by the fans truly motivated the players to fight harder. We owe this victory to their passion and support,” he stated, celebrating the significance of this game not only for the team’s morale but for their position within the league.
The victory was not only significant for Gangwon FC but also poignant for their opponents, Pohang Steelers, who entered the match seeking redemption following their 0-3 loss in the previous round against Daejeon. Despite showing flashes of promise, including Lee Ho-jae's goal, Pohang struggled with discipline as they were forced to play without their central defender, Asperro, who faced disciplinary action from the club.
The match drew 6,539 spectators, surpassing last season's record for home-opener attendance, highlighting the growing local enthusiasm for Gangwon FC. Fans quickly filled the seats and engaged with various activities outside the stadium, from food trucks to promotional booths, inviting families to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Chuncheon’s mayor, Yoo Dong-han, who was among the notable attendees, emphasized the city's commitment to supporting Gangwon FC throughout the season, promising increased infrastructural investments, including expanded seating for upcoming games. “Our city will invest and support our team; we want the people of Chuncheon to experience the joy and excitement of our local football culture,” he stated.
With this victory, Gangwon FC stands sixth in the league rankings, setting their agenda for the next match against Jeju FC scheduled for March 2 at home. The team hopes to build on this momentum, as they strive for higher placements within the competitive K League structure.
Pohang, on the other hand, needs to regroup quickly if they wish to turn their early season woes around. They remain at the bottom of the league standings, facing their next challenge on March 1 against Daejeon at their home ground. The coach, Park Tae-ha, has stressed the need for discipline and consistency moving forward, acknowledging the difficulties caused by missing players and the need for strong performances to regain momentum.
The match showcased not only the skillful play of Lee Ji-ho, who emerged as the clear standout for Gangwon, but also the tactical shifts employed by both teams as they adapted to challenging conditions on the field. With the season still young, both squads will look to learn from this experience as they navigate the path to success within the K League 1.