In a season that noticed Gangwon FC debut on the AFC Champions League Elite stage, the Bears followed-up their record-breaking 2024 with a decent fifth-place end in Okay League 1. However after a winter centered largely round participant retention, what’s going to Jung Kyung-ho’s males have in retailer this yr?
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Final Season
13W-13D-12L, fifth-place
What Occurred?
It was all the time going to be a tall order for first-time supervisor Jung Kyung-ho to fill the footwear of his predecessor Yoon Jong-hwan (who had gained Okay League 1 supervisor of the season previous to his December 2024 departure), and initially Gangwon began the season inconsistently. Early away wins towards Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Ulsan HD showcased an elevated defensive metal in addition to some tactical promise, while slim 1-0 losses to the likes of FC Seoul, Daejeon Hana Citizen and Gimcheon Sangmu highlighted points with creating top quality probabilities within the ultimate third.
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As a matter of truth, Gangwon would rating simply seven instances of their first 11 league video games, unable to garner any kind of attacking consistency or momentum. But occasional victories saved the Bears competing across the top-half, at the same time as their dwelling type started to dwindle (they’d fail to win any of their final 5 matches performed in Chuncheon).
Then, very like again in 2022, a summer time resurgence arrived. Spurred on by the acquisitions of striker Kim Gun-hee, winger Mo Jae-hyun, and the returning duo of Kim Dae-won and Search engine optimisation Min-woo from their navy service, Gangwon immediately had attacking spark, in a position to play on the front-foot or on the very least counter with tempo. A 3-0 dwelling thrashing of Daegu FC reignited power within the camp, and paired with a dramatic 2-1 away conquer Suwon FC (the place Kim Dae-won’s long-range winner was instantly {followed} by a second reserving for eradicating his shirt) immediately ambitions shifted in direction of as soon as once more qualifying for the AFC Champions League.
From right here, the Bears would lose solely three of their ultimate 15 matches on their option to a fifth-placed end, incomes spectacular wins towards the likes of FC Seoul, Gimcheon Sangmu and Pohang Steelers alongside the best way. For essentially the most half, Jung Kyung-ho’s males would keep sturdy in defence too, assured coping with opposition strain as they racked up a powerful 15 clear sheets (the joint-highest within the division).
All in all then, it was a fairly profitable marketing campaign for Gangwon beneath Jung Kyung-ho, who discovered a greater identification within the second-half of the yr, and within the course of ensured followers and gamers stayed believing of their mission.
It’s been a low-key winter switch window for Gangwon in 2026, with the membership largely aiming to maintain maintain of key gamers reminiscent of Kim Dae-won, Shin Min-ha, Park Sang-hyeok and Mo Jae-hyun for the approaching season as a substitute of overhauling their already cumbersome squad. Nevertheless, it didn’t cease the Bears from ambitiously signing Goh Younger-jun in a mortgage transfer from Gornik Zabrze, including some creativity into the attacking midfield space to cowl the lack of Lee Sang-heon, who has departed on mortgage to Gimcheon Sangmu as a part of his navy service.
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Returning to Korea after initially rising by the ranks at Pohang Steelers, Goh Younger-jun will himself be trying to replicate the kind of type that earned him a European transfer within the first place. In his benchmark 2023 Okay League marketing campaign, the attacking midfielder notched eight objectives, and averaged (per 90) 1.19 pictures on course, 0.36 xG, 1.19 probabilities created, 4.36 touches within the opposition field and 1.76 fouls gained.
Elsewhere, the Bears have acquired ahead Abdallah Khlaikhal, who arrives with expertise throughout Israel, Georgia and Dubai. He’s more likely to exchange Vitor Gabriel, who has joined newly-promoted Bucheon FC 1995, as a helpful squad depth possibility, and somebody who can hopefully add some objectives to a facet that did battle to attain them in elements final yr.
Lastly, the departures of loyal gamers Lee Gwang-yeon and Kim Dae-woo to Seongnam FC and Daegu are sure to depart some followers disillusioned, however afford each the possibility to reignite their profession in a recent surroundings.
Key Participant
Mo Jae-hyun
Since his summer time arrival at Gangwon, Mo Jae-hyun has turn out to be a key inventive determine on the membership, trusted to typically be the driving power in transition assaults. With 5 objectives and 5 assists in 19 league appearances, the direct winger was prolific too, contributing to 27% of the membership’s objectives while additionally bringing one of the best out of the likes of Kim Gun-hee round him. This yr, the duty will likely be for Mo Jae-hyun to copy this way over a 38-game streak, and assist propel the Bears ahead.
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Younger Participant to Watch
Kim Do-hyun
Though Shin Min-ha and Lee Seung-won undoubtedly stay essentially the most promising of Gangwon’s present crop of younger expertise, the emergence of Kim Do-hyun as a daily first-teamer final yr is one thing price keeping track of. And, whereas the winger/wing-back mightn’t have notched any objective contributions, his tempo in dribbling, self-discipline and eagerness to progress play are useful attributes as he goals to carve a daily position for himself within the group.
Largest Query
What are Gangwon’s expectations and ambitions?
Having unexpectedly certified for the AFC Champions League Elite, then steadied the ship with a younger supervisor the next yr, Gangwon now have time to reassess their overarching ambitions. Do they want to push for the ACL positions once more? Would they be content material with steadiness? Is that this season the truth is a free hit to strive one thing recent given there isn’t any computerized relegation spot?
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In 2025, it was agreeably pragmatic to initially purpose for survival, then readjust expectations when Ultimate A was in attain. This time spherical, nevertheless, Jung Kyung-ho will likely be anticipated to proceed executing his plan to take Gangwon ahead, and construct on a promising maiden managerial season. Areas that had been granted a point of leeway (low probability creation, dropping factors from profitable positions, and an absence of set-piece effectivity) will now have the idea enhancements have been made hooked up to them, and as such Ultimate A ought to routinely be considered as achievable.
Motive to Watch
An Thrilling Squad
When wanting throughout Gangwon’s squad, it’s undeniably spectacular what the provincial membership have managed to construct. There are seasoned professionals reminiscent of Lee You-hyeon, Kim Dae-won, Kim Gun-hee and Mo Jae-hyun. There are gamers reaching their prime like Search engine optimisation Min-woo, Music Jun-seok and Lee Gi-hyuk. And there’s high-potential younger expertise throughout the squad, specifically Shin Min-ha, Lee Seung-won and Kim Do-hyun. All collectively it makes for a well-balanced roster, one able to offering leisure with out compromising on the required intangibles.
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Put even less complicated, Gangwon’s give attention to retaining their core expertise this winter has allowed their squad to stay one full of expertise, and, a minimum of on paper, geared up to assist proceed the membership’s upwards trajectory.