"I've never been able to beat them... Today is a very special day." Coach Jung Kyung-ho's honest confession after breaking the brutal Anyang jinx [Anyang]

*This content was translated by AI.

After defeating FC Anyang 3-0 in an away game and finally breaking their decade-long curse, Gangwon FC head coach Jung Kyung-ho expressed deep gratitude for his players' dedication and tactical understanding.

On the 6th at 7 p.m., during the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 Round 27 away match at Anyang Stadium, Gangwon secured a decisive 3-0 victory thanks to Karim's stunning free-kick opener in his debut match, followed by consecutive goals from Kim Geon-hee and Mo Jae-hyun in the second half.

With this win, Gangwon finally broke their winless streak against Anyang that had lasted nearly 10 years since September 2016 (2 draws, 3 losses), jumping to fourth place with 40 points.

In the post-match press conference, Coach Jung Kyung-ho said, "Despite being an away game, many fans came to support us. Thanks to their passionate cheering, we were able to secure a 3-0 victory." He added, "Gangwon could not have reached this position without these fans. Once again, I offer my deepest gratitude."

The path to earning three points was far from easy. Due to injuries to key center-backs such as Kang-tu and the call-up of three players for the Asian Games representative team, Coach Jung placed midfielder Seo Min-woo in the central position of a back three, flanked by Karim and Park Ho-young, both making their K League debuts on the wings.

Coach Jung stated, "Football is truly difficult. With so many injuries, it was hard to assemble a center-back pairing, and I deeply pondered how to prepare." He continued, "We focused on shutting down what the opponent excels at while playing to our strengths. We maintained constant communication with veteran players and actively incorporated their input into our game plan. I told them, 'Let's all approach this as if we are the coach.' It seems everyone today truly acted as Gangwon's coach."

He also openly explained the rationale behind opting for a defensive line and prioritizing results over his signature high-pressing style. Coach Jung said, "Our squad is limited, and maintaining constant pressing has led to physical strain and injuries, creating various challenges. With three players called up for the Asian Games, assembling the squad became even more difficult." He added, "I honestly told the team that I wanted to play this kind of football and asked for their understanding. It was crucial for the players to accept and embrace this approach. We sought their agreement on tactical changes for the sake of victory, and they executed them brilliantly."

He also could not hide his joy at finally breaking the winless streak against Anyang. Coach Jung remarked, "Since taking over as Gangwon's head coach, I had never managed to defeat Anyang, so I was determined to win today. During our meetings, I emphasized to the players that we must definitely beat Anyang. It is an especially special day because we secured a victory against Coach Yoo Byung-hoon, whom I personally admire. This match will serve as a major boost for our team."

Having climbed to fourth place in the league with this valuable win, Coach Jung immediately turned his attention to upcoming fixtures and tightened his focus. He stated, "I am happy, but as soon as this game ends, I'm already worried about the next one. We face Jeonbuk on Wednesday, and I need to deeply consider how we should compete against them."

Regarding the race for top positions, he said, "FC Seoul, currently in sole first place, has already crossed the threshold of an 80% chance of winning the title. Gangwon must now fight for a spot in the Asian Champions League (ACL) qualification standings." He added, "However, our clearest and most realistic goal right now is neither the ACL nor entry into Final A (top six). How we overcome the September schedule will be the biggest challenge of the entire season. We will do everything possible to achieve our goals."

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*This content was translated by AI.