Professional soccer club FC Seoul has avenged its so-called officiating defeat a month after it won its third game in a row, returning to second place in the standings.
Seoul held on to Willian’s early goal to win 1-0 at home against Gangwon FC in the 15th round of the Pro Football League K League 1 2023 at Seoul World 메이저놀이터 Cup Stadium on Monday. Seoul avenged a 2-3 loss to Gangwon in the ninth round at the end of April, when they were unfairly punished by a refereeing error.
With their first win in three games after a 1-1 draw, Seoul regained the second spot they lost to Jeju United a day earlier. With eight wins, three draws and four losses, they are level on 27 points with Jeju but have a superior goal difference. Seoul has 29 goals in 15 games, Jeju 23.
Gangwon remained stuck in the relegation zone (11th) with five consecutive games without a win (1D4L) and 11 points (2W5D8L). They are three points behind last-place Suwon Samsung (2W2D11L).
Gangwon started the game brightly from the kickoff, but Seoul quickly gained possession and took control of the game. It was Gangwon that threatened first. In the 17th minute, Kim Dae-woo’s left-footed shot from the penalty arc hit the Seoul defense, deflected slightly, and hit the left goal post. Five minutes later, Seoul responded with a sharp header from Kim Joo-sung that was saved by Gangwon goalkeeper Yoo Sang-hoon.
Seoul took the lead in the 27th minute. When goalkeeper Baek Jong-beom played a long ball out from behind to the near left side of the box, Willian cut in from about 40 meters and rattled the net with a right-footed shot from the penalty arc. His third goal of the season.
The rest of the match was a back-and-forth affair. Seoul was threatened by Kangwon’s offense in the final minutes of the game, but Baek Jong-beom was able to make saves to preserve the win.