(if.column) ‘Hold home in Gangneung alone’ Gangwon FC, is it a poison?
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For the sports team, the home stadium is not just a stadium. It is a place where the fan is gathered and the team is gaining strength and the symbolic place of the club.
Next year, Gangwon FC will play the K -League and Korea Cup home games only in Gangneung. Chuncheon City was absent from the home game support contest, and the diversification system, which has been in place for many years, ended. The process to the final decision was not smooth. The conflict between the club and the local governments, political workshops, and public opinion were mixed, and fans were confused.
But the situation is now clear. It is a spilled water in a word. Then there is one question left. Will this decision to cling to political interests or to look at the effects of football?
Most of all, fans love football, not politics. Gangwon FC’s official supporters expressed their support in the statement, saying, “We are never shaken even in many situations surrounding Gangwon FC.
The political ‘Your Family Workshop’ is still noisy. But the topic I want to deal with is different. In terms of the essential aspects of football, I would like to see Gangneung alone. If so, it is necessary to take a look at how Gangneung alone will actually make.
From a soccer perspective, Gangneung alone is never a bad result. This is not just a guess, but an objective figure and record. Gangneung has a clear strength in the distance of the squad, the heat of the crowd, and the actual economic performance.
Gangwon FC’s clubhouse is located in Gangneung. From here, the distance from Gangneung High1 Arena is about 6km and 20 minutes by car. The team can move to the stadium after continuing training and recovery routines in a familiar space.
Regarding the Gangneung home game, director Chung Kyung -ho also emphasized that “(in the case of Gangneung Gyeonggi), you can prepare for the game in a clubhouse.
On the contrary, Chuncheon is actually close to expedition. From the clubhouse to Chuncheon Songam Sports Town, it is necessary to move about 165 km or more than two hours. The team should stay in the hostel from the day before the game, and the cost increases and the concentration management is burdensome.
The fans’ heat is even hotter in Gangneung. In fact, the average number of spectators in Gangneung this season was about 9,500, much more than the average number of spectators in Chuncheon. Last season, the average spectators in Gangneung were about 71% higher than Chuncheon.
The support of these home fans is also a great strength for the players. Gangwon striker Kim Kun -hee said, “I think there is something in the Gangneung home game. When I was losing, my fans shouted a lot and told me to say to the end.
Is it thanks to these effects? Gangwon had better results in Gangneung than Chuncheon. In 2022, Chuncheon was 3 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses, but in Gangneung, 5 wins and 1 draw and 3 losses in Gangneung. In 2023, he suffered from 1 win, 2 draws and 6 losses in Chuncheon, but in Gangneung, he did not easily collapse with 3 wins and 6 draws and 2 losses.
In 2024, this trend became more pronounced. In Gangneung, he continued to strengthen his home with a clear achievement of 7 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss and 70%win rate. In Chuncheon, it was followed by 5 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss, but it was not as overwhelming as Gangneung.
This season, Gangneung continues to be undefeated. It was 2 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses in Chuncheon, but in Gangneung, 2 wins and 3 draws still no defeat. In Gangneung, it is undefeated for 14 consecutive games.
As revealed from the distance, the number of spectators, and the grades, Gangneung is a stage where Gangwon can be strong. This article is not aimed at expanding or side of political controversy. The key is to see what kind of environment can the club can achieve the best results, and what kind of experience can you give fans?
Above all, the essence of football is in grades and achievements. If you have a good performance around Gangneung, more fans will visit the stadium. This is a factor that can be proud of the entire Gangwon residents beyond the interests of one area.
Therefore, the hosting of Gangneung alone can be a new starting point, not the seed of division. If grades and support are virtuous, Gangwon FC will grow into assets shared by the entire citizens. After all, the joy of good grades, not political workshops, is the way of true harmony.
Written by Kim Ho -jin, the 5th ‘IF Journalist’
Popotu Fourfourtwo@fourtwo.co.kr
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