Pohang Steelers Claim Dramatic 3-2 Victory Against Gwangju FC

In an adrenaline-filled match on March 22, 2025, the Pohang Steelers secured their first victory of the season, triumphing over Gwangju FC with a thrilling 3-2 scoreline at the Gwangju World Cup Stadium. This victory was significant, marking the Steelers' first win after five league outings and putting them back on the path to competitiveness in K League 1.

The match began with Gwangju striking first in the 6th minute, where Jo Sung-kwon scored following a chaotic corner kick that saw the ball ricochet off the Pohang keeper, Hwang In-jae, into Jo’s path, allowing him to tap it into the net. The early goal put the Steelers on the back foot, but they responded remarkably.

In the 21st minute, Pohang equalized with a spectacular long-range effort from Oberdan, whose strike from about 30 meters out found its way through after deflecting off Gwangju's goalkeeper, Kim Kyung-min. This equalizer lifted the Steelers, but the half finished with the score tied at 1-1 despite both teams having opportunities to take the lead.

As the second half began, both teams made strategic substitutions. Early pressure from Pohang in the second half was rewarded when they were awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute after Gwangju's Bruno committed a handball. Lee Ho-jae stepped up and slotted home the penalty, putting Pohang ahead 2-1.

However, Gwangju fought back valiantly. In added time, with the clock ticking down, Heis managed to score from a corner kick situation, leveling the score again at 2-2 after a flurry of headers in the box. The excitement didn't end there; just when it seemed the game would end in a draw, Kang Hyun-je turned the tide for Pohang with a decisive goal in the 55th minute of stoppage time. After receiving a pass, he struck again following a parry from the Gwangju keeper, sealing the game with a 3-2 victory for Pohang.

This win places the Pohang Steelers at 10th in the league standings, moving up from the bottom of the table with a record of 1 win, 2 draws, and 2 losses, accumulating 5 points. Meanwhile, Gwangju, who suffered their first defeat at home, remains in 7th position with 6 points from 1 win, 3 draws, and 1 loss. It was a dramatic end to what had initially appeared to be a comfortable draw.

In the aftermath of the match, the atmosphere was understandably mixed, with excitement for Pohang's return to winning ways but concern for Gwangju, particularly following Jo Sung-kwon’s unfortunate injury during the match where he was involved in a serious collision, leading to his evacuation from the field via ambulance. This incident added a somber note to the evening, overshadowing the thrilling football that had unfolded.

"It was a tough match, and we fought hard for this victory. Our players showed determination, and it's great to finally get the first win of the season," said Pohang's coach Park Tae-ha in a post-match statement. "We look forward to building on this momentum as we move forward in the league." On the other hand, Gwangju's coach Lee Jung-hyo expressed disappointment but also noted the positives from the match, focusing on their journey in the AFC Champions League Elite earlier this season.

With this win under their belt, Pohang Steelers will now turn their attention to their next match against Ulsan Hyundai in what promises to be a fierce rivalry encounter known as the Donghae Derby.

This thrilling contest not only provided vital points for Pohang but also reaffirmed the unpredictable nature of the K League, where fortunes can shift in a matter of minutes, and every match brings its own tale of triumph and despair.