After a record-breaking 2024 meant Gangwon FC certified for the AFC Champions League Elite for the primary time of their historical past, columnist takes a glance by way of the historical past of the membership in a longform characteristic that features quite a few interviews with Gangwon gamers from throughout the years.
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2008-2012: The Early Years
So far as soccer golf equipment go, Gangwon FC are comparatively new. Their historical past dates again to April twenty eighth 2008, when the governor of the province,, put out a roadmap that might ultimately result in the formal basis of what was to be the fifteenth skilled crew to compete within the Okay League. By the top of November of the identical 12 months, Gangwon had put collectively a full squad, and have been able to formally debut within the 2009 season.
Led by Choi Quickly-ho, who notably managed Pohang Steelers in two completely different many years, the Bears at first appeared well-equipped to tackle prime degree soccer. In entrance of over 21,000 supporters in Gangneung, Gangwon FC received their first aggressive match, beating Jeju United (now Jeju SK) 1-0 because of a purpose from Yoon Jun-ha, a promising rookie acquired as a part of the draft. This is able to then be followed-up by a powerful 2-1 victory away at FC Seoul, the place once more Yoon Jun-ha would rating the winner. All of a sudden, Gangwon have been on the proverbial map.
With that being stated, the Bears would win simply 5 of their remaining 26 video games, and go on to complete in Thirteenth-place. 2010 would see the crew fare barely higher, and three consecutive victories to complete the marketing campaign pushed them to twelfth, two factors higher off than the season prior. A studying curve offered itself the next 12 months, nevertheless, when Gangwon completed in bottom-place, profitable three of their 30 video games. Right now, no relegation existed in Korean soccer, so the crew needn’t have frightened about dropping their place within the top-flight, but it surely was a little bit of a warning signal that one thing wanted to alter, particularly contemplating they solely scored in three of their opening 15 fixtures too.
One other participant beginning his skilled profession at Gangwon throughout this period was Kwon Quickly-hyung, a central midfielder who went on to play for 14 years at groups like Jeju SK and Seongnam FC (who he captained in 2022, and now coaches with at youth degree), and who joined the Bears with a strong fame at U-League degree. “I made my debut amid numerous consideration as a part of a newly based crew, and the large help from the followers gave me a lot power. I really feel an amazing sense of satisfaction in being one of many founding members. Since we have been a brand new crew, there have been many challenges, however trying again, these experiences have been extremely useful for my skilled profession. Though we misplaced many matches, we additionally gained so much from these losses. I’ll always remember the followers who at all times supported us, even in defeat,” he says when trying again concerning the begin of his life within the top-flight.
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On what classes he took from taking part in at Gangwon, Kwon Quickly-hyung provides: “I got here to really realise how valuable the followers are, and that grew to become my motivation to provide 100% in each second and each match.”
Transferring on, 2012 noticed the official introduction of relegation to the Okay League, and by the identical token the Bears’ first struggle for survival. However for some gamers, the thought of falling into the second division wasn’t a thought that entertained their thoughts, even when the crew slumped to bottom-place in the course of the 12 months, and on the finish of the common season. “At the moment, the crew environment was fairly darkish due to a string of losses. However Kim Eun-jung, who’s now the pinnacle coach of Suwon FC, and Bae Hyo-sung, who’s now a coach at Daejeon Hana Citizen, did an amazing job of retaining the crew grounded. Each match felt like a struggle. Despite the fact that relegation didn’t really feel actual again then, I keep in mind taking part in every match desperately for the satisfaction of Gangwon FC,” states former striker Jung Sung-min, who performed for the membership between 2011 and 2012.
Ultimately, Gangwon would keep up underneath the steering of Kim Hak-beom (present Jeju SK supervisor), buoyed by a dramatic turnaround in kind throughout the Last B part of the season. Successful seven of their ultimate 14 video games, the Bears rose to 14th, 4 factors away from hazard, and impressively 34 factors higher off than in 2011. When requested about this era in his profession, Jung Sung-min replies: “Gangwon FC holds so many unforgettable recollections for me. I graduated from Gangneung Agricultural Excessive Faculty (now Gangneung Jungang Excessive Faculty) in Gangwon Province, and since Gangwon was my first skilled crew, I’ve numerous love for the membership. Even now, I make certain to observe their matches and proceed to help them.”
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2013-2016: Relegation and Stint in Okay League 2
Nonetheless, Gangwon would quickly discover themselves in additional imminent bother. Regardless of a considerably resurgent reversal of fortunes on the finish of the 2013 season – the Bears received six of their final 10 matches having beforehand received simply twice – they might not escape hazard, and as a substitute discovered themselves set to play within the first ever promotion/relegation playoff. Their opposition got here within the type of Sangju Sangmu, a navy crew made up solely of loanees who had truly completed first within the second division that 12 months, however weren’t assured promotion.
Because it seems, Gangwon’s destiny was basically sealed within the first-leg, wherein they have been comfortably overwhelmed 4-1. Three days later, on December seventh 2013, the Bears’ first – and at present solely – relegation was made official after a slim 1-0 victory didn’t overturn the sooner fixture’s hefty deficit.
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So, life within the Okay League Problem (now Okay League 2) started for Gangwon in 2014, they usually rapidly started to mount a promotion push as soon as an initially sluggish begin to the marketing campaign was shaken off. In due time, very similar to the 12 months beforehand, it was all to come back right down to the playoffs to seal the crew’s destiny. Once more, although, this may show a bridge too far for the Bears, and a slender 1-0 dwelling defeat to Gwangju FC cemented the membership’s second division standing.
2015 was a good harder marketing campaign, with Gangwon ending 10 factors away from the playoff positions, highlighting the difficulties relegated groups can have in incomes a fast return to the top-flight. “Okay League 2 could also be a bit behind Okay League 1 by way of technical expertise and techniques, but it surely’s a league that’s stronger by way of bodily power and psychological toughness. That is why Okay League 1 groups didn’t like going through Okay League 2 groups,” former Gangwon defender Search engine marketing Bo-min says, indicating how aggressive the second division actually is.
Luckily, Gangwon’s fortunes started to alter. In 2016, the Bears constantly stayed within the promotion combine, by no means hitting extended ruts, and at all times anchored by the actual fact they have been victorious in 9 of their first 13 matches. This culminated, as soon as extra, in an opportunity of returning to Okay League 1 through the playoffs. However now Gangwon have been prepared to make use of what they’d learnt from their earlier experiences, and duly defeated each Busan I’Park and Bucheon FC on their technique to going through Seongnam FC within the two-legged promotion/relegation playoff ultimate.
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A 0-0 attract entrance of three,000 dwelling followers then left all of it to play for towards the Magpies in leg two, the place Gangwon would go on to attain promotion through away targets with a 1-1 draw, holding onto their valuable benefit as soon as a Hwang Jin-sung free-kick pegged the crew again. After three years, the Bears had realised their key goal of getting again to Okay League 1.
Recalling the victory on this promotion/relegation playoff, Search engine marketing Bo-min says: “It was the very best day of my soccer profession. Through the 2016 season, I contributed so much to the crew and performed as a key participant. Reaching the purpose of promotion made it the happiest day of my soccer life, past phrases.”
In fact, this success wouldn’t have been attainable with out gamers just like the aforementioned Search engine marketing Bo-min, who caught with the membership for all the period of their second-tier stint, and went on to set examples for different gamers with constantly sturdy performances. Recalling these years, the defender states: “Wanting again on these days, I feel I actually didn’t know a lot, I simply centered on taking part in soccer diligently. After becoming a member of Gangwon FC, I wished to make my debut rapidly. I used to be capable of begin within the opening match of my debut season, and by giving my finest one sport at a time, I managed to achieve 100 appearances in simply three years. If I have been instructed to place in that very same degree of effort now, I don’t suppose I may do it.”
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2017-2020: Return to Okay League 1 and Discovering a New Identification
In 2017, Gangwon returned to the top-flight, and largely because of a chronic purple patch in the course of the season, earned their first Last A end. When requested what it was like signing for a newly-promoted crew, Hwang Jin-sung, a participant who received the Okay League, Korean FA Cup and AFC Champions League throughout a decade with Pohang Steelers, stated: “Relatively than strain, I felt extra pleasure. At the moment, many nice gamers have been recruited, and I used to be trying ahead to the thought of coaching and taking part in with my friends and juniors on the identical crew.”
On how he felt attaining a top-half end with the Bears in the identical 12 months, Hwang Jin-sung provides: “I used to be glad to make it into the highest break up. I imagine it was attainable due to the nice teamwork. I’ve vivid recollections of how effectively the teaching employees and gamers received alongside.”
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Persevering with, a part of Gangwon’s overhauled Okay League 1 ambitions got here from the introduction of supervisor Kim Byung-soo, who was employed in August of 2018. On the time, Kim was a comparatively new supervisor, one who had coached for a few years at Pohang Steelers, however solely managed professionally for one season at Seoul E-Land. Nonetheless, with a contemporary approach of taking part in, affectionally dubbed “Byung-soo ball,” Gangwon started to discover a strong identification in a extra possession-based, ahead considering strategy. Outlining what modified when the Bears’ new managerial rent arrived, Hwang Jin-sung states: “I feel I paid extra consideration to the tactical elements of the sport. Coach Kim Byung-soo may be very tactically astute, so I imagine he emphasised that half so much.”
Following Kim Byung-soo’s appointment, Gangwon would end in eighth place, beginning to adapt to their extra proactive approach of taking part in as soon as some teething points had been handled. These aesthetic enhancements would carry higher prospects the next 12 months, as for the second time in three seasons the Bears discovered their approach into the top-half, this time attributable to outscoring Gimcheon Sangmu. Notable on this marketing campaign was an unimaginable 5-4 comeback victory towards Pohang Steelers, the place Gangwon have been 4-0 down till the Seventieth-minute when the fightback was sparked, then ultimately accomplished with three stoppage time targets.
Though inside the confines of a shortened season as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 once more noticed the crew compete for a spot within the top-half. And, though they might miss out by a single level, three consecutive victories to start life in Last B would assist re-establish Gangwon’s kind on their technique to an eventual seventh place end. In contrast to the sooner eras of the Bears in Okay League 1, it appeared there was now a transparent route the membership was heading in, and a robust tactical plan being {followed}.
Considering again to this era, former striker Go Moo-yul, who performed for Gangwon from 2020 to 2022, says: “I used to be capable of be taught particulars that have been completely different from what I had skilled earlier than, and it felt refreshing. The brand new model of soccer was very thrilling for me, and I used to be actually glad to have the ability to work with Coach Kim Byung-soo. Beneath Coach Kim I used to be capable of clearly perceive intimately what function I wanted to play and the way I ought to play; that understanding allowed me to carry out effectively.” The statistics again it up too, with the 2013 Okay League Rookie of the 12 months scoring 9 instances within the 2020 season, and 6 instances the 12 months after, recapturing the kind of scientific edge he had managed earlier in his profession.
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2021-2023: Combined Fortunes
So, as 2021 rolled round, the hope was that Gangwon may proceed vying for a Last A place, as had change into the norm underneath Kim Byung-soo. But a stop-start season started to ring alarm bells across the midway mark, given the Bears received solely as soon as between rounds 10 and 21. There have been transient spells of renewed optimism, certain, and dominant 3-0 victories over each Daegu FC and Suwon Samsung Bluewings within the spring and summer time months respectively led to a higher degree of belief that issues would work out. But the purple patches wouldn’t maintain.
As an alternative, Gangwon slipped right into a relegation battle, and regardless of there being only a handful of matches to spare, Kim Byung-soo (who stays the crew’s longest-serving supervisor to today) departed the membership. Just below two weeks later, and with two Last B matches remaining, Choi Yong-soo was named because the membership’s new supervisor, boasting real pedigree from his Okay League 1 and Korean FA Cup successes while answerable for FC Seoul.
Unable to rescue the Bears to computerized security, Choi Yong-soo’s first main activity was to be a promotion/relegation playoff towards Daejeon Hana Citizen. Making this responsibility tougher, the primary leg went in favour of the Okay League 2 runners-up, with Lee Hyeon-sik’s 51st-minute purpose sufficient to separate the 2 sides. What {followed} in Gangneung, nevertheless, was moderately unimaginable. Propelled by scoring thrice in a five-minute spell, Gangwon stormed to a convincing 4-1 victory, pushing apart any doubts over their mettle. Now backed by a supervisor with a powerful CV going ahead, the purpose was to keep away from these sort of high-stakes matches in future, and to firmly transfer away from any threats to their first division standing.
, Kim Dae-won defined: “In fact, the relegation playoff is a sport that I don’t need to undergo once more as a participant. Bodily and mentally it was probably the most tough sport, so it was extraordinarily difficult. I feel the most important think about us having the ability to win was not desirous to disappoint the followers who help us. Not one of the gamers wished to get relegated and there was a perception that we may win.”
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For a stretch, 2022 did appear like it may carry extra battle, although. After an initially vibrant begin, the Bears would win as soon as between rounds 5 and seventeen, whereas dropping on seven events. But as issues typically can in soccer, every thing simply appeared to click on without delay. From right here, Choi Yong-soo’s males received 10 of their ultimate 16 common season outings, taking part in with renewed vigour, increased power, and spectacular efficiency inside their supervisor’s refined direct counter-attacking strategy. In reality, for a time the entrance three of Kim Dae-won, Lee Jeong-hyeop and prime prospect ranked amongst the league’s best, and was essential to Gangwon reserving their place in Last A as soon as extra.
Coming back from an over year-long harm layoff throughout the run-in, Go Moo-yul performed his final sport for the Bears in spherical 36 towards Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Speaking about his time at Gangwon, it’s clear the previous talisman has fond recollections, with him stating: “I loved the soccer, I loved the town, and I had nice relationships with each the teaching employees and my teammates, which made me very glad. I used to be capable of be taught new particulars that I hadn’t earlier than, and it was each attention-grabbing and gratifying. It was a interval wherein I grew as soon as once more as a participant.”
With that in thoughts, 2023 didn’t go in response to plan. Unable to recapture the identical attacking chemistry as seen earlier than, an more and more aggressive top-flight setting noticed Gangwon battle for sustained safety, and for targets. As such, Choi Yong-soo would resign in July, instantly changed by Yoon Jong-hwan, a supervisor making his return to Korea following an prolonged interval in jobs elsewhere in East Asia. Positively, the duty at hand couldn’t be easier: overturn a run which had led to the membership profitable simply twice from their opening 18 video games, and scoring solely 11 instances.
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Stressing the significance of elevated confidence, the Bears’ new boss initially trialled a much more attacking tactical form, however quickly settled into predominantly setting his crew up in a compact 4-4-2. It wasn’t at all times fairly, significantly when the emphasis shifted to staying aggressive in video games moderately than taking the dangers to probably win them, but it surely steadied the ship, and slowly reversed the squad’s prospects.
A lot so, that regardless of the actual fact Gangwon have been solely actually capable of push for a greater promotion/relegation playoff match, they have been capable of end Last B with two victories from their ultimate 4 matches, and three consecutive clear sheets. In flip, this was simply what the Bears wanted, as they confidently ensured {that a} second-leg 2-1 triumph on dwelling soil towards Gimpo FC extending their top-flight standing for one more 12 months.
Nonetheless, the query began to develop amidst a patchy few seasons: What’s subsequent?
2024-Current: Historical past Makers
Over the course of 2024, every thing modified for Gangwon. Fully overhauling the taking part in squad, in addition to the tactical model into one thing direct, enticing and front-footed, Yoon Jong-hwan created a new-look setting, and got down to obtain main progress along with his crew. “It was an honour to start my first skilled season with Gangwon FC. The skilled stage wasn‘t straightforward. Each coaching session was a relentless battle, and seizing alternatives inside that setting was much more difficult. Nonetheless, inside that, I realized higher deal with myself, and I gained many optimistic elements from it,” explains Park Tae-rang, a centre-back who signed a rookie contract with the Bears throughout this record-breaking 12 months, and is now risking by way of the ranks for MFK Zemplín Michalovce in Slovakia.
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Initially, although, the 12 months began with promise that was not at all times backed by outcomes on the pitch. While each one in every of Gangwon’s first 10 video games have been entertaining, and performances have been typically of a excessive degree, the crew may solely generate three victories, partially attributable to defensive vulnerabilities in transition. Thus, Yoon Jong-hwan tweaked his strategy barely, taking out the complete throttle stylings in favour of reintroducing a clearer construction to the crew, significantly when out of possession.
This tactical system clicked nearly immediately, and the Bears. Gangwon would go unbeaten from Might fifth to June twenty second, profitable six of their seven video games in that interval, and even getting the higher of eventual league winners Ulsan HD with a tenacious 1-0 victory at dwelling. A key issue on this main upturn in kind was the crew’s right-hand aspect, with overlapping full-back Hwang Mun-ki more and more dependable in his new defensive function, and starlet frequently blowing away opposition defences. For readability, these two gamers managed 27 purpose contributions simply between themselves throughout the 12 months.
Maybe unsurprisingly, this newfound success led to Gangwon breaking loads of, and combating on the prime finish of the Okay League 1 desk all through the summer time and autumn. From most targets scored (62), to a record-high end (2nd), each base was coated, and the crew’s contemporary attack-minded verve paid fixed dividends. “As everybody is aware of, Gangwon had their finest season in 2024. Though they completed as runner-up, not champion, they have been aggressive sufficient to keep up their title race till the very finish. The environment of the season was one in every of profitable mentality, with each participant stepping up and having the arrogance to win. Moreover, each coaching session was gratifying, and the extent of focus was extraordinarily excessive,” Park Tae-rang says when requested the way it was amongst the crew throughout such an distinctive marketing campaign.
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Onto the current, Gangwon are making ready to jot down new historical past. On September sixteenth, the Bears make their official debut within the AFC Champions League Elite, going through Shanghai Shenhua. They’re now not led by Yoon Jong-hwan, however moderately his former assistant Jung Kyung-ho, who was promoted internally and is beginning to discover his toes as a supervisor on the proper time. His personal defensive-minded outlook which started 2025 has been tailored to permit for bigger spells of attacking play inside video games, anchored by summer time additions Mo Jae-hyun and Kim Gun-hee, in addition to the returning Search engine marketing Min-woo and Kim Dae-won. Following 4 consecutive clear sheets, and back-to-back wins, momentum is on the Bears’ aspect too.
Equally,, captain Lee You-hyeon prompt there may be composure within the camp for the time being, saying: “Though the Champions League is a large event, the gamers aren’t getting too excited or getting too emotional for the time being as a result of we even have numerous skilled gamers who’ve gone by way of critical seasons within the Champions League. So our participant’s stance for now’s that we simply must comply with the pinnacle coach’s lead, after which every thing else will likely be alright.”
As for a few of Gangwon’s former gamers, what do they consider the crew’s arrival onto the AFC Champions League Elite stage?
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Go Moo-yul, a earlier winner of the Champions League himself, says: “To be sincere, there are various variations between the time once I received the ACL with Jeonbuk and now. Asian soccer has developed so much since then, and plenty of star gamers have come to the competitors. However since Gangwon FC can even signify Korea, I hope the gamers struggle bravely. I imagine for a few of them, this may change into an enormous alternative.”
Search engine marketing Bo-min, in the meantime, replies to the query with: “I sincerely hope that the crew I as soon as performed for does effectively. Once I was at Gangwon FC, the circumstances have been powerful and it was a tough time for the membership, however now that they’re going to the AFC Champions League, I really feel actually glad. I hope they’ll make it to the quarterfinal.”
Park Tae-rang appears introspectively at his expertise with the membership and the way it helped him adapt to his current switch overseas, stating: “To be sincere, my time in Gangwon was a tough time for me. By way of these hardships, I realized to self-discipline myself much more rigorously and additional upgraded my mentality. This expertise strengthened me. I imagine it’s due to this expertise that I used to be capable of adapt so effectively in a faraway place like Europe. And I hope Gangwon FC will present a superb efficiency and get good leads to their first Asian Champions League look this 12 months.”
And to return to somebody who performed in Gangwon’s very first season, Kwon Quickly-hyung says: “To begin with, congratulations (to Gangwon) on qualifying for the Champions League for the primary time because the membership’s founding. I hope this turns into an amazing alternative to make a robust impression of Gangwon FC on the Asian stage with wonderful outcomes.”
*Thanks to 이문준 for offering assist with translations*