FC Seoul won the first game of the final round thanks to Ji Dong-won’s winning goal, his first scorer in two years.굿모닝토토
Seoul defeated Gangwon FC 2-1 in the 34th round home game of ‘Hana One Q K League 1 2023’ held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 22nd. As a result, Seoul maintained 7th place (13 wins, 11 draws, 10 losses, 50 points), and Gangwon maintained 11th place (4 wins, 14 draws, 16 losses, 26 points).
Seoul suffered a painful 0-2 loss to Jeonbuk Hyundai in the last 33rd round of the regular round and fell to Final B (7th to 12th places). Seoul, which had received a final B report card for four consecutive years, desperately needed a change in atmosphere.
The hearts of Seoul fans, the so-called ‘guardians’, also changed. Angry fans hung banners in the stadium. ‘Seoul ranks first in average attendance for the 2023 season. Will it be rewarded with four consecutive lower splits? The reward that the guardian god wants is an Asian stage and a trophy created through fighting spirit and sweat.
Kim Jin-gyu, acting manager of Seoul, was also well aware of this ‘fan sentiment’. Before the game he said, “Our motivation is only to change the minds of the fans. “I urged the players to change the hearts of the fans,” he said, pledging to win.
Gangwon-do is also in a hurry. As they compete to remain with last place Suwon Samsung, a desperate struggle is inevitable in every game.
Seoul came out with a changed lineup. Instead of Ilyuchenko, they placed fast-moving Willian and Han Seung-gyu at the front line, aiming to infiltrate the rear. However, the game did not turn out as Manager Kim had hoped. Gangwon lost possession to Seoul, but finished the first half without conceding a goal.
Seoul brought in Kim Shin-jin at the start of the second half to add vitality to the attack. They eventually took the lead in the 8th minute of the second half when Na Sang-ho’s free kick was deflected. However, in the 32nd minute of the second half, Gangwon’s counterattack allowed an equalizer. Gabriel finished Gallego’s low, quick cross from the right.
Seoul did not give up, and Ji Dong-won stepped forward to solve the problem. In the 35th minute of the second half, Park Soo-il’s header hit the goalpost, and Ji Dong-won finished it with a header. It has been 2 years and 2 months since he scored against Gwangju FC in August 2021, and this is his second goal since joining Seoul. Ji Dong-won’s instinct as a problem solver saved Seoul.