Jeonbuk Hyundai International striker Cho Kyu-sung (25) scored two goals to give acting head coach Kim Doo-hyun (41) a fond farewell.
Jeonbuk defeated Gangwon FC 2-1 in the 안전놀이터 18th round of the 2023 K League on Nov. 11 at Chuncheon Songam Sports Town. With its first three-game winning streak of the season, Jeonbuk (27 points, +7 goal differential) is in fifth place, ahead of Daegu (+1 goal differential), which has the same number of points and goal differential.
Jo Kyu-sung, who bounced back from a slump, was the hero of the day. After falling behind 1-0 in the first minute of the second half on an own goal by defender Jung Tae-wook, Jeonbuk equalized in the 13th minute when Cho Kyu-sung drove down the left flank after receiving a pass from Ryu Jae-moon and fired a left-footed shot into the back of the net. Cho Kyu-sung rattled the net again in the 32nd minute with his trademark powerful header off a cross from Kim Jin-soo. Cho Kyu-sung, who has struggled this season after missing two months due to injury, scored his third and fourth league goals of the season to spark the winning streak.
Acting coach Kim Doo-hyun, who took over after Kim Sang-sik, 47, stepped down early last month, had a “farewell” game. He led Jeonbuk to five wins, two draws, and one loss, putting the team in the top half of the table, but left the team as Dan Petrescu (56-Romania) was appointed as the new head coach on Sept. 9, shaking up the existing coaching staff. “I had good memories with Jeonbuk,” Kim said, “and I hope the players will not be satisfied with this ranking and will continue to move forward and achieve their goal of winning the championship.”
On the same day, Seoul and Pohang drew 1-1 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Hwang Eui-jo, 31, who joined Seoul on a six-month loan from Nottingham Forest in England, opened the scoring with a mid-range shot in the 37th minute of his home farewell match, but Pohang’s Ha Chang-rae equalized with a dramatic header in stoppage time. Pohang remained in second place with 31 points, while Seoul remained in third with 29 points. Hwang’s next destination is yet to be determined. Suwon Samsung and Incheon were tied 0-0.
In the previous day’s match, Ulsan defeated Jeju 5-1 to extend its lead to 44 points. Ulsan’s Ju In-gyu (32) led the scoring with his 10th goal of the season, while Uhm Won-sang (24) added a goal and an assist. Daegu defeated Suwon FC 3-1. Daejeon and Gwangju played to a 1-1 draw.