Gangwon’s ‘No. 47 Line’ Shines in Gold Run
Behind South Korea’s fourth straight Asian Games gold in men’s football was Gangwon FC’s youth development. Five of the 23 players on the final roster, about 22 percent, were current or former Gangwon players: captain Lee Ki-hyuk, Lee Seung-won and Shin Min-ha from the current squad, along with former players Yang Hyun-jun and Yang Min-hyeok. Players who have worn Gangwon’s No. 47 shirt stood out in particular. Shin Min-ha, the current No. 47, scored with a header against Saudi Arabia, and Yang Min-hyeok set up Eom Ji-sung’s winning goal with a cross in the final against Japan on the 3rd. Lee Seung-won also anchored the midfield, recording an assist from the very first group match. Gangwon described the achievement as the fruit of the club’s steady commitment to developing players.
Source: Footballist
Seoul Out Front, Six Teams Fight for Final A
As K League 1 prepares to resume on the 9th after the international break, the race at the end of the regular rounds is heating up. Leaders FC Seoul have 62 points, 15 clear of second-place Ulsan HD (47), and have firmly taken control of the title race. The battle for the Final A group, however, is fierce: six teams, from fourth-place Jeonbuk Hyundai (44 points) to ninth-place FC Anyang (38), are separated by just six points. Only three regular-round matches remain, and Round 31 on the 9th features several head-to-head clashes between Final A contenders. Many teams’ fates may not be settled until Round 33 on the 24th, and the condition of players returning from the Asian Games and international duty is seen as a key variable.
Source: Ilgan Sports