1-0 win over Shanghai Shenhua
League stage 4 wins 1 loss
The only K-League team to advance to the round of 16
The results are good, but the club is in serious financial trouble.
“Despite the difficulties, we will play soccer for the fans”
Entered: 2024. 11. 28 (Thursday) 16:17
Gwangju FC, which is challenging its first appearance on the Asian stage, has given the green light to pass the league stage. While the team is proud of the K-League by being the only one of the three domestic clubs to advance to the tournament, coach Lee Jeong-hyo left a desperate appeal for support and interest.
Gwangju FC won 1-0 against Shanghai Shenhua in the 5th game of the 2024-2025 AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Champions League Elite (ACLE) league stage East Asia held at Gwangju World Cup Stadium on the 27th.
It was a game where coach Lee Jeong-hyo’s mercenary skills shone. Jasir Ahsani, who was replaced in the 11th minute of the second half as a replacement, scored the first goal by powerfully finishing with his left foot on a ball dropped by Heo Yul in a corner kick situation right after being substituted. It led to the winning goal.
With this win, Gwangju FC recorded 4 wins and 1 loss (12 points) in the league stage, maintaining second place and continuing to chase East Asia leader Vissel Kobe (4 wins, 1 draw, 13 points) by 1 point.
In addition, all five teams, from Johor Darul Takzim FC in 5th place to Buriram United FC in 9th place, recorded 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses (7 points), and the rankings were divided by goal difference, and the gap with the tournament qualification (within 8th place) was also wide. By maintaining a 5-point gap, they increased their chances of advancing to the round of 16.
In particular, it is an encouraging result that Gwangju FC is building pride in the K-League. While Pohang Steelers are in 10th place with 2 wins and 3 losses (6 points), and Ulsan HDFC is in 12th place with all 5 losses (0 points), Gwangju FC is struggling alone in the top rankings.
Coach Lee said at the press conference after the game that day, “Compared to the many opportunities, we did not score any goals, so I think we need to improve,” and added, “The players showed the soccer we had planned well even in the cold weather. “I am also very grateful to the fans who come to the stadium and give strength to the players even in the cold weather,” he said.
He then emphasized, “I and the players will do our job no matter what difficulties there are,” and added, “For the fans who come to the stadium, we will play soccer that the fans who run to score goals will like.”
But Director Lee’s expression soon darkened. As this year’s schedule has entered its final stages, plans for the new season need to be made, but Gwangju FC is suffering from financial difficulties, including complete capital erosion.
Although Gwangju City provides annual support of 10 billion won, the scale is insufficient compared to other city and city residents’ clubs, so it took on a total of 5.4 billion won in loans last year and this year, and the 1.067 billion won supplementary budget recently requested in relation to ACLE was completely cut by the Gwangju City Council. In order for Gwangju FC to develop into a prestigious club, it is essential that the secretariat, Gwangju City, and Gwangju City Council come together.
Coach Lee said, “Since we have achieved this much in one year, I would like to help a little bit.” He added, “Not only the players, coaching staff, and support staff, but also Manager Dan Bundo, employees Jeong Seok-bin, Lee Kun-hee, and interns Kim Chae-un behind the scenes in the office. I’m working really hard. “Please do something for their sake,” he appealed.
Reporter Han Gyu-bin [email protected]
