By Lee Ji-jin Lee = Gallego’s multi-goal performance helped professional soccer’s K League One Gangwon FC defeat K League Two ‘surprise leader’ Gimpo FC to reach the quarterfinals of the Korea Football Association (FA) Cup.
Gangwon defeated Gimpo 3-2 away in the round of 16 of the 2023 FA Cup on Thursday at Gimpo Solter Soccer Field in Gyeonggi Province to book their place in the quarterfinals.
After reaching the quarterfinals in 2021, Gangwon had a disappointing exit last year, losing 0-2 to Suwon Samsung in the round of 16.
The thrilling victory was a welcome change of pace for Gangwon, who hadn’t won in four games since securing their second league win of the season against Jeonbuk Hyundai on March 29.
On the other hand, Gimpo, who roared to the top of the table in the K League 2 after an unbeaten opening 12 matches (seven wins and five draws), 먹튀검증 have been unable to sustain their momentum in the FA Cup.
Gimpo raised expectations in the last three rounds (Round of 32) by defeating FC Seoul, one of the top teams in the competition, in a penalty shootout, but unfortunately, they were unable to reach the quarterfinals.
In the 17th minute of the first leg, on a counterattack, Lewis, who drove down the left flank, saw the space behind the defense and quickly penetrated into the penalty area, scoring Gimpo’s first goal with his left foot.
Gimpo players celebrate Lewis’ goal.
[Photo courtesy of the Korea Football Association. Resale and DB prohibited].
After a quiet first half, Gangwon made it 1-1 in the seventh minute of the second half when Kim Jin-ho’s cross from the left side of the penalty area was finished by Gallegos in the box.
With momentum on his side, Kang Won rattled the net again in the seventh minute. After receiving the ball in the penalty area, the Korean youngster struck the bottom of the opposite post with his right foot to turn the game around.
Then, in the 23rd minute of the second half, Lewis, who was on the doorstep, tied the game again when he converted a ground ball cross from Seo Jae-min with his left foot for his second goal.
Desperate for a goal, Kangwon coach Choi Yong-soo made a game-changing substitution six minutes later, bringing on Kim Dae-won for Yang Hyun-joon.
It was Gallego who came up with the winner in second-half stoppage time. After running down the right flank during a counterattack, Gallego received a ball from Lee Jung-hyeop and used his speed to advance to the doorway, where he fired a strong right-footed shot to tie the game.