Season

Gwangju FC recorded a passable season in Ok League 1, even when they failed to succeed in the appreciable heights of 2023. Their FA Cup run went to the final 4 they usually have taken Champions League Elite by storm. They need to survive however excellent supervisor Lee Jung-hyo should rotate closely to compete in three competitions. Gwangju return to the World Cup Stadium this yr.

Final Season

14 wins, 5 attracts, 19 losses, 47 factors. ninth in Ok League 1.

What Occurred?

Within the league, this was about as bland and unexciting a season as one might have imagined. Maybe that wasn’t a foul factor. 24 months in the past, Gwangju had simply been promoted from Ok League 2. They defied logic and expectation to complete third on their return. Final season, they have been neither at risk of relegation nor near producing an consequence as spectacular as 2023. Gwangju have been high after two rounds, backside after 9, after which spent the remainder of the yr sitting in seventh or eight. It was solely on the ultimate day of the season did they drop right down to ninth, their lowest league place since Could.

Lee Jung-hyo’s males saved their greatest type for the Korean Cup (making all of it the way in which to the semi-finals, earlier than dropping 3-2 on mixture to Ulsan HD) and, in fact, the AFC Champions League Elite. On the time of publication, Gwangju FC are second within the East division, trailing Yokohama F. Marinos on purpose distinction, with 4 wins and a draw from six matches. For context, Ulsan HD have one win from six. Development is nearly assured so supervisor Lee can be required to go deep into his small squad to keep up a problem on three fronts.

His squad boasts one in every of Asia’s high skills, nonetheless. Few would have anticipated Jasir Asani to nonetheless be with the membership after beginning for Albania within the latest European Championships and notching seven objectives in AFC Elite up to now, to go together with his a number of man of the match awards. Asani continues to be right here, nonetheless, coaching with the remainder of the squad in Thailand. Nevertheless it was on the different finish that ensured Gwangju comfortably stayed within the division. A strong protection backboned by Kim Kyeong-min’s eight clear sheets meant they have been troublesome to interrupt down. Gwangju as soon as went on a six-game dropping streak, with each loss by a single purpose. Actually, of their 19 season losses, simply six have been by greater than a purpose. Given the winter additions, they are going to be simply as resolute defensively in 2025.

Isnairo Reis (in, Jeju SK).

Reis returns to Gwangju, the place his Ok League profession started 5 years in the past, after two seasons with Jeju United/SK. He was a part of the membership’s relegation from, after which quick promotion to, Ok League 1 earlier than becoming a member of the Islanders in 2023. In his first season with Jeju, he scored eight and assisted 5 throughout a terrific season. These numbers dropped in 2024 however Gwangju have been delighted to get Reis again. He provides invaluable expertise to a squad competing on three fronts. Supervisor Lee believes that “not solely is Reis a confirmed expertise, however his affect on and off the pitch has created a constructive synergy throughout the squad.” Reis was traded to Gwangju with striker Lee Gun-hee (5 objectives and one help) moving into the other way.

Jeong Ho-yeon (out, Minnesota United).

A transfer that was mooted for weeks was lastly confirmed final weekend when Jeong Ho-yeon left Gwangju for Minnesota United on a three-year deal. His departure comes inside a yr of one other excessive profile Gwangju midfielder transferring on (Lee Quickly-min to Daejeon) and leaves having recorded probably the most variety of assists (5) on the membership in 2024. Jeong is a really gifted midfielder however Gwangju have made some sensible signings which might cut back the impression of his switch.

Yoo Je-ho (in, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors).

Yoo Je-ho has huge boots to fill following Jeong Ho-yeon’s departure to MLS, however this seems like a great match for participant and membership. Yoo joins from Jeonbuk Hyundai on a season-long mortgage. He began his profession at Suwon Samsung, the place he was starting to command a spot within the beginning XI earlier than Jeonbuk swooped in the summertime. It was a transfer that did not make a lot sense and Yoo would go on to make simply 5 appearances for Jeonbuk having made 17 within the first half of the season for Suwon. He is a younger, tenacious midfielder, working within the traditional quantity 6 position. Yoo seems like a participant who might shine beneath Lee’s administration type and turn out to be a really helpful operator for Gwangju.

Heo Yool (out, Ulsan HD)

23-year-old striker Heo Yool leaves his house city membership for the brilliant lights of championship favorites Ulsan HD following veteran Joo Min-kyu’s departure for Daejeon. Ulsan have added offensive reinforcements so it’s no assure Heo will get the minutes he craves in his debut season. Heo has seven objectives and 4 assists in 83 Ok League 1 appearances up to now. It is not prolific however there’s a participant there and Ulsan will hope to develop him right into a extra constant purpose scorer (until they see him as a defender!) earlier than he does his army service (which he was scheduled to do that yr).

Mr. AFC was restricted to simply 13 league appearances for Gwangju final season (scoring three objectives) having scored seven and assisted three in 33 video games the earlier yr. He’s the participant with the best worth within the squad in response to transfermarkt, at 1.20 million euros. Final summer season, he represented Albania on the European Championships and has, up to now, amassed 22 caps. However it’s within the AFC Champions League Elite the place Asani has actually proven his value. On matchday one, he scored an beautiful hat-trick towards defending champions Yokohama F. Marinos, scored the one purpose of the sport away to Kawasaki Frontale, added two within the opening six minutes towards Malaysian facet Johor Darul Ta’zim, after which recorded his seventh of the pool stage towards Shanghai Shenhua, in one other 1-0 win.

I requested him after his man-of-the-match efficiency in Yongin towards Johor what he considered taking part in at this stage. His reply was measured – believing in his capacity earlier than thanking his teammates – however as we left the press convention that night time, I believed it will be the final time I might ever see Asani stay in motion (for Gwangju no less than). Maybe his age is starting to rely towards him (he turns 30 in Could) however that is undoubtedly a participant who can function at a better stage than Gwangju, whether or not that’s elsewhere in Ok League or overseas. It is not simply the match successful objectives; the factor that units the Albanian aside is the standard of these finishes. A few of his AFC objectives are breathtaking, to say the least. Asani is a correct crew participant and a pleasure to look at.

Moon Min-seo loved a fairytale begin to his skilled profession. The native lad made his debut in spherical 4 within the Moonlight Derby towards Daegu FC and opened the scoring halfway by the primary half. What was further particular was the purpose got here from the penalty spot. Supervisor Lee made the choice to permit Moon convert the spot kick in entrance of the away followers as a part of his improvement. By the shut of the season, Moon had began 27 matches in Ok League 1, and been a part of 32 matchday squads. In fact, this being Ok League, a number of of these begins did not quantity for rather more than the token 22 minutes you usually see, however to play 1,390 minutes as a 20 yr outdated midfielder may be very spectacular. Moon made the bench for 3 AFC Elite video games, however has but to function within the event. He turns 21 just a few days after Gwangju open their season account at house to Suwon FC. Aspect notes: Moon and I share the identical birthday, one other addition to the plus column? What’s miserable, however changing into more and more evident because the years transfer by, is that this skilled footballer was simply 5 years outdated after I moved to his hometown in 2009.

Largest Query

Can Lee Jung-hyo proceed to get a tune out of his restricted squad?

Supervisor Lee Jung-hyo has carried out miracles at Gwangju FC since taking on in 2022. The membership was reeling from relegation to the second division after they trusted Lee together with his first managerial publish. To that time, he had been a part of teaching tickets at Jeju SK, Seongnam, Gwangju, and Jeonnam Dragons. Lee introduced Gwangju up on the first time of asking, pulling away from FC Anyang and Daejeon Hana Citizen in direction of the top of the season. Of their first season again in Ok League 1, Gwangju completed third (qualifying for AFC Champions League Elite) and, in 2024, regardless of a drop off in league type, they made the final 4 within the Cup and are properly positioned to qualify from their group in Asia. As he approaches his fiftieth birthday, the extremely regarded but confrontational supervisor will certainly have his sights set greater than a small membership with the second lowest common attendances within the league (4,912 per recreation).

The massive transfer he was arguably holding out for nearly got here to fruition in early winter. Lee was on the shortlist to take over at Jeolla-do rivals Jeonbuk Motors. It was broadly reported the membership was eager to rent a overseas supervisor, and that is what transpired when Uruguayan Gus Poyet signed a contract. It’s unclear but to what extent Lee was within the job, and whether or not his head was turned by the glances from Jeonju. Nevertheless it should be troublesome to return to pre-season with Gwangju and face one other season battling towards the chances when your greatest gamers will all the time be poached. Gwangju have misplaced three high class midfielders within the final 12 months, so Lee should assemble one other midfield to maintain Gwangju alive. His touchline type is exclusive, and presumably this appeals to a crew of underdogs. Well dressed, he’s often seen kicking objects like water bottles, gesticulating wildly at match officers, or screaming so loud that it blocks out the noise from that stands. He is a compelling character, an asset to this league, however perhaps he is turn out to be a giant fish in Gwangju’s small pond.

Purpose to Watch

Gwangju are leaving their ramshackle, dilapidated, and, at instances, harmful little floor for the World Cup Stadium subsequent season. The official cause is as a result of the pitch is in a poor state, however different issues exist. In 2023, the south stand was closed for weeks as a result of cracks have been found within the short-term stand behind the purpose. Your entire stadium feels short-term, with tarping added to cover the ugly components. Lipstick on a pig. The Gwangju Soccer Stadium is within the shadows of the World Cup Stadium, so no less than the transfer can be brief. Gwangju FC have performed there earlier than and even used it for a few of their ACL Elite matches final yr, so that they’ll be accustomed to the environment. The stadium is way too huge and it has a working observe, however regardless of the large stands and huge vacancy, it should be higher than the yellow bucket seats and cracked constructions subsequent door?