Gangwon FC has climbed out of the bottom of the K League 1 (1st Division) with an upset victory over leaders Ulsan Hyundai. It was a double celebration for the team as they beat their nemesis Ulsan for the first time in 11 years.

Gangwon won 2-0 in the 26th round of the Hana One Q K League 2023 at Gangneung Sports Complex on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Shin Min-woo in the 37th minute and Ago in the final minute.

It was the first victory since Yoon Jung-hwan took over as head coach in June.

Gangwon, winless in their last 15 matches with seven draws and eight defeats, escaped from the bottom of the table with their first win in 16 games. With three wins (11 draws, 12 losses, 20 points), the team pushed Suwon Samsung (19 points) to the bottom of the table.

They also ended their bitter rivalry with Ulsan.

It’s been 11 years since Kangwon beat Ulsan. Since their 2-1 win over Ulsan on May 26, 2012, Gangwon had gone 25 games without a win with four draws and 21 losses. It took 11 years and 26 games to catch the big fish.

Leaders Ulsan (18 W, 3 D, 5 L, 57 pts) have faltered in their last five matches, going 1-1-3, but their early points have given them a 12-point lead over second-place Pohang Steelers (45 pts).

Gangwon took the lead in the 37th minute when Min-seok-woo converted a sensational pass from Gabriel.

With a precarious 1-0 lead, Gangwon was awarded a penalty kick in second-half stoppage time by Yago. His first kick was saved by goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo, but he converted the rebound.

Jeonbuk Hyundai played to a 1-1 draw against Suwon Samsung at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

Suwon took the lead through Han Ho-gang in the 30th minute, but Jeonbuk equalized through Han Gyo-won in the 20th minute of the second half. No further goals were scored after that.

Jeonbuk remained in third place with 12 wins, 5 draws and 9 losses (41 points). Suwon dropped to the bottom of the table.

Jeonbuk had won seven straight league games at home prior to the match and were hoping to tie the K League 1 record for most consecutive home wins (eight), but were unable to do so.

Jeju United jumped from ninth to sixth place with a 3-0 win over Suwon FC.

Meanwhile, in the K League 2 (2nd Division), FC Anyang and Ansan Greeners battled to a 1-1 draw. 파워볼사이트