Director Lee Jung-hyo of 'Miracle Epic' and Gwangju FC's 'Great Challenge'
Director Lee Jung-hyo of 'Miracle Epic' and Gwangju FC's 'Great Challenge'
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Gwangju FC, a professional soccer team, is like a drama. The team is continuing its relentless strides toward the championship by winning the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League (ACLE), the only team in Asia where the strongest teams in Asia clash, beating corporate teams that run clubs barely by selling players in the K League 1.
It is no exaggeration to say that the existence of Gwangju FC under coach Lee Jung-hyo, which advanced to the quarterfinals, is a "miracle epic" in itself. The fact that the team, which lacks both financial resources and star players, will face off against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, one of the strongest teams in Asia, for the semifinals gives a deep impression to Korean soccer. Coach Lee Jung-hyo and Gwangju FC are telling fans stories beyond simple matches. They are "hope," "challenge," and "the intrinsic value of soccer."
In particular, ahead of the bloody battle against Saudi Arabian giant Al Hilal with "Oil Money" on his back on the 26th, coach Lee Jung-hyo's bid to build a new clubhouse and weight training center with the prize money makes him feel more desperate for survival than just his will to win. The $10 million (about 14 billion won) prize money of the AFC Champions League elite, which has been reorganized from 2024-2025 season, is a desperate goal for Gwangju players.
Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, which Gwangju FC will face off in the quarterfinals, is a "giant" with almost a hundred times the annual salary of the Gwangju team. If Gwangju's average annual salary is about 100 million won, the average annual salary of the Al Hilal team is estimated to exceed 10 billion won. It can be seen as an example of how amazing Gwangju FC is performing despite financial difficulties and the salaries of the two teams.
Fans are rooting for Gwangju FC's fighting spirit and director Lee Jung-hyo's resourcefulness like these cartoon films. In fact, one of the cheering messages from Gwangju supporters is "1 percent chance, 99 percent belief." Despite poor environment and objective inferiority in power, he is challenging himself to become an Asian champion with 1 percent belief that he has overcome difficulties so far.
Manager Lee Jung-hyo's innovative mercenary skills are at the heart of this dramatic success. Despite limited resources, he built a tactical system that maximizes each player's potential and organically moves the entire team. Unpredictable bold use of players and ever-changing tactical changes have created a unique color unique to Gwangju FC, causing constant confusion in the opposing team.
In particular, Lee's sharp analysis and customized strategy at the Champions League tournament made a brilliant contribution to defeating strong teams one after another. The first and second matches against Japanese J League champion Vissel Kobe in the round of 16 were the highlight of Lee's mercenary skills. After falling behind 0-2 on the road in the first round, they won 3-2 in the second round at home, where only one percent chance remained, and secured a berth to the quarterfinals with a combined score of 3-2. They practiced the slogan "Gwangju is the opposite of the impossible" with their performance. 먹튀검증
The match with Vissel Kobe shows his leadership that enhances players' fighting spirit and mental strength. Lee Jung-hyo's mercenary skills, which is writing an epic poem of a miracle, are a factor that Gwangju FC has succeeded in. Under his strong charisma and clear vision, players are united to fight hard every game.