By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
New K-League outfit Gangwon FC has now grabbed two consecutive victories in its maiden season after defeating FC Seoul 2-1 in away game in Seoul, Saturday.
Gangwon midfielder Kim Jin-il netted the first goal of the game with just 10 minutes gone, heading in from Kang Yong's cross.
Seoul forward Lee Seung-yeoul equalized with a header from Lee Sang-hyup's free kick in the 33rd.
But when Seoul defender Kevin Hatchi was shown a red card for deliberately handling Gangwon midfielder Lee Chang-hoon's header six minutes before halftime, Gangwon had the opportunity to retake the ascendancy.
But Japanese midfielder Ohasi Masahiro fired the resultant penalty kick against left post, leaving the game still all square.
Gangwon oppressed 10-man Seoul, and finally forward Yoon Jun-ha blasted in a right-footed strike from Masahiro pass in the 86th. The rookie has now scored in each of his team's first two matches.
Gangwon captain Lee Eul-yong and Masahiro were urging their teammates to go on the attack in a bid to increase the advantage.
Lee, a former FC Seoul player, moved to his native province club Gangwon last December. And the 33-year-old showed that he still possesses the ability to marshal a side.
Masahiro, formerly with J-League side Kawasaki Frontale, proved that he is adjusting to the K-League well by setting up one of the goals.
``My strategy was to make Seoul players tired after the Indonesian away game,'' Gangwon manager Choi Soon-ho told reporters after the match.
Seoul had an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Group F match with Sriwijaya FC in Palembang, Indonesia, Tuesday. ``I asked my players to make them move much," he added.
About 2,000 Gangwon fans gathered to cheer on their province's first K-League football club. Some rented big buses to ferry them en mass from Gangneung to Seoul's World Cup Stadium.
They shouted ``Victory, Gangwon,'' wearing the club's orange uniforms in the cold, windy weather.
``I think we showed the power of Gangwon Province," Yoon said in response to the fans' enthusiastic passion.
At Daejeon, Suwon BlueWings were held to a scoreless draw by home team Daejeon Citizen the same day, stretching their record without a win in the city to 11. The defending champion has left Daejeon with a victory since May 14th, 2003, recording seven draws and four losses.
Earlier Saturday, Seongnam Chunma drew 0-0 with Ulsan Tigers at home, leaving new Chunma manager Shin Tae-yong still winless in the K-League.