K-League Approaches for Gwangju FC
Article and photo by Darrell Slater
Gwangju FC team photos courtesy of Gwangju FC
The K-League season is fast approaching and local team Gwangju FC are determined to improve on their inaugural season results.
After becoming the K-League’s 16th franchise and newest team at the start of the 2011 season, Gwangju FC finished a credible 11th place in last year’s final standings.
President of the club, Park Byeong Mo, said “This year our goal is to become the number eight team in the K-League.
“We have brought in some new foreign players to help us achieve this goal.”
As the playoff places have expanded to include the top eight clubs at the conclusion of this year’s regular season, Gwangju’s ambitions would mean them being involved in the end of season playoff picture, certainly a step in the right direction.
In its first year Gwangju FC struggled in the shadow of the city’s established Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) team, the KIA Tigers. Apart from the opening day of the season attendances were generally low at The Guus Hiddink World Cup Stadium, not helped by the team’s inconsistent form throughout the year.
Baseball crazy Gwangju residents could not be turned away from the diamond at Mudeong Stadium when the teams played on the same day.
The marketing team at Gwangju FC are hoping to increase the teams appeal this year – to both foreign residents and locals.
Gwangju FC recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the local foreigner soccer team Gwangju Inter FC. The memorandum is aimed at increasing the popularity of soccer throughout Gwangju with the two clubs working together to achieve this goal.
Gwangju Inter also became an official supporters group of Gwangju FC. As part of the deal the team received discounted season tickets for its players as well new training kits and equipment.
Gwangju Inter team member Gary Farr said “We will all be there as a team at the opening home game of the season to cheer on our sister team (Gwangju FC).
“We look forward to developing a close relationship between the teams in the future”.
The new players President Park brought in to play at Gwangju FC are Bogdan Milic and Adriano Chuva, both attacking players who President Park hopes will add more goals and excitement to the team while also adding bums to seats in the stadium.
Milic, from Montenegro, stands at a lofty 2.01 centimeters (6 feet 7 inches) tall and could prove to be a shrewd acquisition to the squad.
Time after time last season Gwangju made openings and provided crosses into the box for their strikers only to come up empty handed. Milic may be the answer to add that extra height needed to get on the end of high passes.
The jury is still out on Milic though as not much is known about him and his professional record of goal scoring (only 18 goals in his last nine seasons) is not that great.
Adriano Chuva, 33 from Brazil, is a journeyman soccer player who has made Gwangju FC his forth home in Korea. Having previously played for Daejeon Citizen, Chunnam Dragons and Pohang Steelers in the K-League, he brings experience to a team of youngsters that could prove valuable throughout 2012. Chuva netted four times for Pohang last season.
With the bulk of the squad still together from last season, including Brazilian playmaker and top scorer Joao Paulo, Gwangju have certainly improved their chances of obtaining the eighth place finish that President Park is looking for.
The new additions add extra options for coach Choi Man Hee, especially in attack. Gwangju struggled last year to score the goals that could have elevated them up the table towards the illusive K-League playoffs.
The season officially kicks off on March 4th for Gwangju FC with a game away to Sangju Sangmu to start the season.
The first home game of the season is a week later on Sunday, March 11th. Kick off is at 3 p.m. and Pohang Steelers will be the visitors.
With baseball season still a month away, and with the chance to take in some live sport at a low price, Gwangju residents are urged to get down to the stadium to cheer on our local K-League representative.
Shows, giveaways and fireworks will mark the occasion – if its anything like last years opening game at home (a 3-2 victory against Daejeon) then you won’t want to miss it!
Gwangju play their home games at the Guus Hiddink World Cup Stadium. Ticket prices range from 6,000 – 10,000 won and can be purchased on the day. It is also of note that you can BYO anything you want into the stadium – including alcohol!A version of this article appeared in the March 2012 Gwangju News print edition.