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| Sangju Sangmu forward Kang Sang-woo, left, celebrates with his team's head coach Kim Tae-wan after scoring a goal on penalty during the K League 1 match against Jeonbuk Hyundai at the Sangju Civic Stadium in North Gyeongsang Province, Sunday. / Courtesy of K League |
By Jhoo Dong-chan
Sangju Sangmu is destined to be demoted to K League 2 next season under the K League rule as it decided to move out of Sangju to set up in a new location next year. A number of football analysts said before the season that the team could suffer a lack of motivation under the circumstances.
However, the team proved such woes were a bit too hasty as it beat top contender Jeonbuk Hyundai 1-0 during the K League 1 10th-round match at Sangju Civic Stadium, Sunday. Enjoying its fourth consecutive victory, Sangju solidified its third-place position in the ranking sheet.
It was also Sangju's first victory over Jeonbuk in nearly three years since its 2-1 outcome on Sept. 20, 2017.
Sangju's head coach Kim Tae-wan said before the game that he has longed to face mighty Jeonbuk.
"Sangju players have shown a great deal of improvement throughout the season," he said. "Jeonbuk is a tough one. It is the best team in the league. I wanted to see where we are now through a game against them."
Kim decided not to lower the team's defense line and rather encouraged its players to fight in the midfield area. Sangju's U-20 international Oh Se-hoon vied for the ball in the final third area while Kang Sang-woo and Kim Bo-seop dribbled past Jeonbuk's fullback defenders.
Sangju shot seven times in the first half, but lacked accuracy.
It was Jeonbuk that first clinched a crucial opportunity to score an opener as Sangju defender Kim Jin-hyeok committed a handball inside the penalty box in the 50th minute. K League legend Lee Dong-gook took the penalty but hit the cross bar. Jeonbuk winger Han Kyo-won even missed the rebound.
In the 30th minute, Sangju acquired the same opportunity as Jeonbuk center-half Hong Jeong-ho trapped Kang inside the penalty box. Unlike Lee, Kang managed to score the penalty to help the team secure a home victory against last season's champs.
With its six wins, two draws and two defeats, Sangju earned 20 points to chase No. 2 Ulsan Hyundai which has acquired 23 points so far.
Even if Sangju ends the season in the current place, however, it won't be able to join the AFC Champions League next season.
"The governing body of the AFC Champions League said the military-men team is not allowed to join the league under their rules," a K League official said.
K League 1's top three teams as well as the league's FA cup winner are allowed to participate in the AFC Champions League. If the FA cup winner is among the top three teams in the table, then the fourth-place team will also be allowed to join Asia's top football tournament.
