FC Seoul moved back into second place with a win over Gangwon FC먹튀검증. Gangwon was winless and scoreless in five consecutive matches.
Seoul earned a 1-0 victory over Gangwon FC in the 15th round of the Hana OneQ K League 1 2023 at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Monday, thanks to Willian’s goal in the 27th minute.
With 27 points (8 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses), Seoul moved back into second place after dropping Jeju. They avenged a 2-3 loss in their first match of the season against Gangwon on March 26.
Gangwon is 11th in the league with 11 points (2W5D8L). The loss extended their winless and scoreless streak to five consecutive league matches. The team had hoped to get back on track in the league with a 3-2 FA Cup win over Gimpo FC on Sept. 25, but couldn’t continue the good momentum.
Willian high-fives his teammates after scoring. /Photo: KFA
The home team, Seoul, dominated possession and took control early on. They focused on attacking from the flanks using Na Sang-ho and Willian. Against the attacking Seoul, Gangwon dropped all 10 players on the field below the center line to play a defense-oriented game.
After pressuring Gangwon with a shot from Ki Sung-yong in the 13th minute and a header from Kim Joo-sung in the 23rd minute, Seoul took the lead in the 27th minute through “Super Crack” Willian. He received a pass from goalkeeper Baek Jong-beom, dribbled about 40 meters from the side to the center, shook the defense, and then rattled the net with a left-footed shot.
Seoul continued its offense in the second half, looking for a second goal. Seoul head coach Ahn Ik-soo made a change in the 17th minute of the second half, taking off Willian and Palosevic and bringing on Kim Shin-jin and Kim Sang-hyeop at the same time. Gangwon removed Kang Ji-hoon two minutes later and inserted Kim Jin-ho to try to equalize.
Gangwon introduced Kim Dae-won and Hwang Moon-ki at the same time in the 33rd minute to try to equalize, and Seoul responded by removing Hwang Eui-jo and Ki Sung-yong and inserting Han Chan-hee and Kim Jin-ya. Gangwon increased its offense in the final minutes of the game, but was unable to open the Seoul goal. In the end, Seoul held on to their one-goal lead and secured the victory.