'An unprecedented five-month home winless streak'—not a single jeer... 'Captain' Lee Chang-yong confesses his inner turmoil: "I wanted to repay them by winning for sure"

*This content was translated by AI.

The captain, who had been under immense pressure due to the lack of home victories, finally smiled. FC Anyang captain Lee Chang-yong (36) let out a sigh of relief after securing a precious victory at his home ground and expressed gratitude to fans and veteran teammates.

Anyang secured a 2-1 victory against Gangwon FC in their home match during the 20th round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2026, held at Anyang Stadium on the afternoon of the 26th at 7:30 p.m.

After defeating Jeju SK in their home opener on March 8 (2-1 win), Anyang recorded their first home victory in nearly five months, improving their record to 7 wins, 9 draws, and 4 losses (30 points). This propelled them to fifth place, accelerating their chase for the top tier.

In the mixed zone after the match, Lee Chang-yong said, "It's been so long since we won at home that I almost forgot how difficult it was. Still, I am truly happy to have won," while flashing a bright smile.

Despite having many veteran players in defense and midfield, Anyang displayed tireless performance throughout the 90th minutes. Regarding this, Lee Chang-yong stated, "It's strange, but the coach has really managed that aspect well. Thanks to him, even though I've played full 90-minute matches for three consecutive games, it doesn't seem like my stamina is lacking." He further added, "The credit goes largely to Coach Yoo Byung-hoon's unique tactical know-how and ability to maintain the core lineup of Anyang without their energy dropping during the match."

Until now, Anyang had not won a single home game, causing significant guilt among fans and within the club. Lee Chang-yong remarked, "We managed to secure points on the road, but the lack of home victories weighed heavily on my heart. Originally, around 10,000 fans used to come to our home games, but recently I noticed a slight decline in attendance, which was indeed a burden for the players." He continued, "Even though we hadn't won at home for over four months, the fans supported us until the end, and I felt terribly sorry. I really wanted to repay them by winning. I also felt deeply apologetic toward the hardworking staff of the office."

Regarding Coach Yoo Byung-hoon's coaching style, Lee Chang-yong explained, "Rather than leading in a coercive manner, he wins over the players' hearts and allows them to act. His know-how of encouraging us to 'let's try it' makes the players trust and follow him more."

When asked about the secret behind their particularly strong performance against Gangwon, Lee Chang-yong said, "Gangwon is a team with very high energy levels and excellent skills, so we always approach them with caution." He added, "After listening to opposing players, they mentioned that whenever Anyang presses, they counter-attack, and when we defend kicks, they pass, causing our rhythm to constantly get out of sync. Ultimately, this was the result of Coach Yoo Byung-hoon's strategic battle," as he smiled.

He did not forget his pride in the enthusiastic support from home fans. Lee Chang-yong emphasized, "We might be criticized when we make mistakes, but Anyang fans trust us and cheer loudly. Such support is a tremendous force during the season." He further stated, "Players also feel proud that they are contributing to building Anyang's football culture and fan base."

Finally, Lee Chang-yong cited the team's veterans as the driving force behind their pursuit of the goal to reach Final A (the upper split).

He said, "I really wanted to say this," adding, "Whenever the team struggles or wavers, the presence of Kim Bo-kyung, Kim Da-sol, and Ju Hyun-woo, who silently maintain stability from behind, is truly significant. Even in situations where complaints might arise, it is their strength that firmly supports the team, allowing Anyang to look toward and run for the upper split." He expressed his deep gratitude.

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*This content was translated by AI.