Jeonnam Wins Second FA Cup

With their third goal of the day, the Jeonnam Dragons were convinced victory was theirs and rushed to hug manager Heo Jeong-moo. The team’s joy rocked the stadium as their fans joined them in a song of victory.

The Dragons crushed the Pohang Steelers, led by manger Sergio Farias, and became the first team to win the FA Cup two years in a row.

Jeonnam defeated Pohang, 3 to 1 in the second round of the final held yesterday in the Steelyard in Pohang after winning in the first round, 3 to 2 to secure the FA Cup victory.

It is the third time that Jeonnam has won the FA cup following victories in 1997 and 2007. By contrast, Pohang failed to achieve its aim of winning the K-league and FA Cup in the same year for the first time ever.

The two teams, sponsored by steel giant POSCO, are called “brothers.” The atmosphere was very festive in yesterday’s match in which spectators bore placards which read: “We are POSCO: Gwangyang citizens love Pohang citizens.”

Jeonnam started out using quick attacks by deploying Simon and Sandro forward. Pohang’s leading players that day were Tavares, Kim Gi-dong, and Schwenck Shubenk.

However, Pohang failed to show the power that it demonstrated in the K League. Its most veteran player, Kim Gi-dong, was hit in the face by the ball and replaced 13 minutes into the first half. From that moment on, the team’s “winning formula” of pressure from midfield and strong attacks from the side, playing to the free kick ability of Tavares, did not work. Farias said after the match, “As our commander was absent, there was little team coordination.”

Song Jung-hyun of Jeonnam scored the first goal 34 minutes into the first half.

Although Pohang’s Hwang Jin-sung tied the match two minutes into the second half, Jeonnam’s Song Jung-hyun and Sandro scored 34 minutes and 39 minutes into the second half, respectively.

Heo Jung-moo said, “We prepared by studying Pohang. This victory gave us another opportunity to participate in the AFC Champions League. Although we failed to make it to the quarter finals in the AFC, we will do better next year by improving our players’ skills.”

Kim Chi-woo of Jeonnam, who were selected as tourney MVP for effectively fending off Pohang’s side attacks, said, laughing, “It is my first MVP in my life as a football player.”

Meanwhile, Farias said, “I agreed to a two-year contract with this club. I wish to be with this group of players next year.”

bluesky@donga.com