Gangwon FC drew 1-1 against the Pohang Steelers in the final match of their three-game home stand.
Gangwon FC drew 1-1 at home against Pohang Steelers in the 28th round of the Hana One Q K League 1 2023 at Gangneung Sports Complex at 7:30 p.m. on April 26. Gangwon lined up in a 4-3-3. Wellington, Gabriel, and Kim Dae-won formed the back three, while Min-Seok-woo, Lee Seung-won, and Kim Hanyoung guarded the midfield. Ryu Kwang-hyun, Kim Young-min, Kang Too-ji, and Kang Ji-hoon formed the back four, with Lee Kwang-yeon in goal. Pohang lined up in a 4-2-3-1. Zeca started up front, with Hong Yun-sang, Kim Jong-woo, and Kim Seung-dae in the second line. Kim Jun-ho and Oberdan were the defensive midfielders, while Wandelsson, Park Chan-yong, Ha Chang-rae, and Park Seung-wook formed the back four. Hwang In-jae wore the goalkeeping gloves.
Pohang dominated possession in the early stages of the match and eventually took the lead in the 16th minute. Zeca made a one-touch heel pass near the left side of the penalty area, and Hong Yun-sang penetrated inside the box and shot non-stop with his right foot to split the goal. After that, Gangwon was pushed back by Pohang’s strong forward pressure and looked shaky in defense as they were not cleared properly.
Needing a change of pace, Kangwon brought on Alibayev in the 26th minute for Lee Seung-won, and the tactic paid off. In the 33rd minute, Kangwon counterattacked and Alibayev received the ball and fired a right-footed mid-range shot into the right corner of the net from the far post to equalize. It was his first goal of the season after 14 appearances.
With momentum on their side, Kangwon made several passes in the attacking third in the 42nd minute, and Korea Young won a free kick in a threatening position on the right side of the penalty area. Kicker Ryu Kwang-hyun’s kick was blocked by the defense, but Kangwon was on a roll in the final minutes of the half. In the 45th minute, Kim Dae-won’s low alley-cross to Wellington was also a threat.
Going into the second half, Pohang took off Kim Jong-woo and Kim Jun-ho and brought on Go Young-joon and Han Chan-hee. Gangwon made no changes. With both teams picking up a few cautions, Pohang brought on Lee Ho-jae and Kim In-sung for Zeca and Hong Yoon-sang in the 16th minute of the second half. As the midfield struggles continued, shot attempts were noticeably lower for both teams compared to the first half. In the 38th minute 스포츠토토 of the second half, Gangwon used four substitutions at once. Ryu Kwang-hyun, Shin Min-woo, Kim Dae-won, and Wellington came off and Lee Kang-han, Yoo In-su, Kim Woo-seok, and Hwang Moon-ki came on. Gangwon then set up a five-back defense.
The game ended with five minutes of extra time, but neither team scored an additional goal and the game ended with the teams sharing a point.