“The players will be nervous because they are country kids, but won't they grow more through games like this?”
Gimpo FC, now in their second year as a professional team, took 3rd place in K-League 2 this season and also advanced to the promotion playoffs (PO). Gimpo achieved the feat of advancing to the promotion PO for the first time in history based on solid defense and organizational skills, conceding the fewest goals in the league (26 goals), and gained momentum to challenge for promotion to K-League 1.
But it wasn't easy. After drawing 0-0 with Gangwon FC in the first leg of the promotion PO match at home on the 6th, they lost 1-2 in the second away match on the 9th, so unfortunately their dream of promotion was not achieved. After conceding multiple goals to Gangwon Gabriel (Brazil), Cho Seong-kwon's equalizer briefly raised expectations, but it was not enough.
Promotion was thwarted, but Kimpo coach Go Jeong-woon (57) wanted to see hope rather than despair. After the second game against Gangwon, Coach Ko said, “Even though we lost, I am proud that the number of Gimpo fans increased during this season. In the past, not many fans came to the stadium, but now it is different. “I feel the club is growing,” he said.
The significant increase in fans is confirmed by numbers. During Gimpo's last home game last season, against Daejeon Hana Citizen, the number of spectators who visited Gimpo Salter Soccer Stadium was 1,901. However, the number of spectators for the first leg of the final home game against Gangwon this season was 3,736. This is the highest attendance record since Gimpo was founded in 2013.
As much as the passion of the fans, the earnestness of the players is also the driving force behind Gimpo. Gimpo, a member of the K3 League, converted to a professional team in the 2022 season and joined K League 2. What is unique is that the players who have been together through hardships since the K3 League are still with the team and are providing a solid focus. Among the starting players for the second round of promotion PO on the 9th, Kim Tae-han, Park Gyeong-rok, and Yoon Min-ho are the members who led Gimpo to victory in the K3 League in the 2021 season. They are achieving their dreams step by step based on earnestness.
Coach Ko described these players as ‘hillbillies.' Still, I believed that this would be a great experience for the players. “I want to paint a bigger picture. I am curious to see how far Gimpo will grow with Coach Go, who emphasized, “This season's promotion/demotion PO experience is an opportunity for growth not only for the players but also for the club.”'
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