With 14 goals conceded in three games and even the starting and second-choice goalkeepers unavailable, 'bottom-ranked' GwangjuFC is in a state of extreme emergency.

*This content was translated by AI.

A true "extreme emergency" has been declared for GwangjuFC, the bottom-ranked team in K League 1. This comes as the team's defense has already collapsed significantly, and now even the backup goalkeeper has been forced out of the lineup. Currently, the only goalkeeper available in full condition is Kim Dong-hwa (23), born in 2003, who has just one career K League appearance to his name.

Gwangju was pushed into a corner on the 8th when the Korea Professional Football League Disciplinary Committee announced a two-match suspension for Noh Hee-dong (24). Noh was referred to the committee after making a gesture insulting the referee immediately following the match against Jeonbuk on the 5th, and ultimately received a two-match ban along with a fine of 2 million won. As a result, Noh will be unable to play in the matches against Gangwon FC on the 9th and FC Seoul on the 12th.

The problem is that even the starting goalkeeper, Kim Kyung-min (35), has been sidelined due to injury. Noh Hee-dong, who holds the position of the team's second-choice goalkeeper, had to guard the goal in the Jeonbuk match precisely because of Kim Kyung-min's injury. Kim Kyung-min is out of the lineup due to injuries to his shoulder and ankle. In the end, Gwangju faces a double blow: the starting goalkeeper is injured, and the backup goalkeeper has been suspended.

Consequently, the only goalkeeper who can currently play at 100% condition is Kim Dong-hwa. A youth academy product, he is a second-year professional goalkeeper who joined Gwangju last year. His only K League 1 appearance last season was a single game. Even this season, he struggled to even make the bench, overshadowed by Kim Kyung-min and Noh Hee-dong. He was only added to the substitution list as the backup goalkeeper for the match against Jeonbuk when Kim Kyung-min was injured, but now the possibility of making his second professional appearance has suddenly increased.

Lee Yoon-seong (21), who made his debut in Japan's J League, is also a goalkeeper who transferred to Gwangju in January, but due to the suspension on player registration imposed by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) on the Gwangju club, he will only be eligible to play in the second half of the season. In the end, unless Kim Kyung-min quickly regains his condition, the only available goalkeeper is effectively Kim Dong-hwa, the team's third-choice option.

Given Gwangju's recent situation, an extreme emergency is unavoidable. Gwangju sits at the bottom of the table this season with one win, three draws, and eight losses (6 points). After 12 matches, they have conceded a staggering 32 goals, completely collapsing their defense. In particular, they have conceded 29 goals in their last eight matches, averaging more than 3.6 goals conceded per game. They have allowed four or more goals in three consecutive matches, including five against FC Anyang and Daejeon Hana Citizen, and four against Jeonbuk. Amidst this, a massive crisis involving the goalkeepers has struck in succession.

Unfortunately, the next match is against the "fourth-ranked" Gangwon on the 9th at 4:30 p.m. at Gwangju World Cup Stadium. Reports suggest that Kim Kyung-min was even considering whether to play in the previous Jeonbuk match, indicating his injury is not at a critical level, so there is a possibility of a "surprise return" on this day. However, since he is not in full condition due to the injury, the team must accept the risks regarding his performance and the potential for further injury. Kim Kyung-min may sit on the bench, with Kim Dong-hwa making his second K League appearance. If Kim Dong-hwa delivers a surprising performance, it could become a turning point for Gwangju; conversely, if he fails to overcome the heavy burden, it could lead to another heavy goal concession. With this unexpected crisis in the goal, Gwangju FC manager Lee Jeong-gyu's concerns are deepening.

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*This content was translated by AI.