“Yago and a beautiful finish” as Gangwon snaps two-game losing streak

Gangwon FC head coach Jung Kyung-ho applauded Yago’s performance in scoring the game-winning goal as the club snapped a two-game losing streak.

Gangwon defeated Incheon United 1-0 in the 20th round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2024 on Tuesday at the Incheon Football Stadium, thanks to Yago’s game-winning header in the 25th minute of the second half.

With the victory, Gangwon snapped a two-game losing streak and moved to 10 points (34), dropping Suwon FC (33) to fifth place.

Head coach Jung Kyung-ho, who replaced Yoon Jeong-hwan, who was sent off against Gimcheon Commerce on the 22nd, said after the game, “We led and controlled the game as we prepared. If Yago had converted the penalty kick in the first half, a multi-goal victory was possible.” “The players’ energy dropped after the missed penalty kick, but we actively communicated with the players at halftime, which led to the victory,” he said.

Yago, who is out of contract at Gangwon, started the game and was active from the start, earning a penalty kick in the 16th minute. However, the highly motivated Yago’s shot hit the post and did not lead to a goal.

“Actually, the penalty kicker was Lee Sang-heon, but Yago wanted to make a ‘beautiful finish,’ so he took the kick. “After the first half, I told Yago, ‘Don’t be greedy. You’re playing very well right now. It ended up being a beautiful finish,” he said.

“If you look at it positively, Yago played with more sacrifice because he missed the penalty. He felt sorry for himself, so he moved more aggressively and balanced the offense and defense,” he said, adding, “I don’t know if it will be the last time, but I’m grateful to him for his sincerity until the end.”

Yago joined Gangwon last summer and has been a completely different player this year. Last year, he struggled to compete for a starting role and managed just one goal and one assist in 11 games. This year, however, Yago has recorded nine goals and one assist in 18 games before his loan contract expires.

“Yago had a hard time adjusting after joining the team last year,” said Head Coach Jung. He had no experience living abroad, so he struggled to adapt to the 먹튀검증 Korean culture. His playing time was up and down and his motivation was low. However, since winter training, he has lost weight and shown that he is ready. I was ready to play,” he explained.

After escaping a two-game losing streak with Yago’s late gift, Gangwon is back in the race for the top spot. Add to that the return of several injured players, and head coach Yoon Jung-hwan could be on the bench from the next match against Gwangju FC.

“With the coach here, communication will be easier,” Chung said, adding, “We have a tough schedule ahead, but there is no better medicine than a win,” and hoped that the victory would be a big boost for the rebound.

With the loss, Incheon has gone seven matches without a win (three draws and four losses), including three straight, and remains in ninth place with four wins, eight draws and eight losses (20 points). They are barely ahead of 10th-place Daegu FC (20 points and 18 points), who are in the relegation zone.

Reacting to the poor run of form, coach Cho Sung-hwan said, “The players are mentally tough because we haven’t won recently. We will overcome it quickly, recover well and prepare for the next match.”