"We must get past the fear of making mistakes".
Jeonbuk Hyundai will clash with Gwangju FC at 1:30 p.m. on the 6th at Seoul World Cup Stadium for the 2025 Korea Cup championship trophy. A one-off match, a neutral stadium, and contrasting football philosophies. All the elements have come together.
Gwangju advanced through efficiency. Korea Cup round of 16 penalty shootout victory over Suwon FC (1-1, penalties 4-3), quarterfinal 1-0 over Ulsan, and semifinal against Bucheon (2-0, 2-1 aggregate 4-1) secured a place in the final unbeaten in four matches.
In the last three matches (K League rounds 36, 37, 38) shots were only 4→9→12, but they opened the net despite few opportunities. Football that does not obsess over possession yet shows concentration at decisive moments. They unsettle opponents with a high defensive line and fast transitions.
By contrast, Jeonbuk rode momentum to reach the final. They beat Daejeon 3-2 in the round of 16 and defeated FC Seoul 2-1 in the quarterfinals. The second-half concentration shown in the Seoul match was intense. Width, crosses and aerial presence on set pieces are Jeonbuk's most reliable weapons.
Jeonbuk's goal is not simple. K League 1 champion Jeonbuk is aiming for a second double after 2020 with this title. They are also the Korea Cup's (formerly the FA Cup) most successful club. Starting with their first title in 2000, they lifted the trophy in 2003, 2005, 2020 and 2022, five times in total. If they win this time, they will reach six titles and share the record for most wins with Pohang Steelers.
Jeonbuk's coach Gustavo Poyet was sent off in the second leg of the semifinal against Gangwon. At that day's press conferences, Gwangju was represented by coach Lee Jeong-hyo and Lee Kang-hyun, and Jeonbuk was represented by coach Jeong Jo-guk and Park Jin-seop on behalf of Poyet.
Gwangju coach Lee Jeong-hyo said, "It seems well prepared. Many fans are coming from Gwangju, and since it's snowing I hope they travel up carefully. We'll do our best to clash so that those who come to the stadium can enjoy themselves."
Gwangju's Lee Kang-hyun said, "It's an honor to face Jeonbuk in the final. We will do everything we can to prevent Jeonbuk from taking the double."
Coach Lee Jeong-hyo won the FA Cup (the predecessor to the Korea Cup) as a player with Busan I'Park. When asked about that, he smiled and said, "Memories of winning as a player are now all forgotten. I want to win as a coach. I want to give Gwangju players the opportunity to challenge on the Asian stage more than myself. I'm very excited."
This Korea Cup final is Gwangju's first-ever final. Coach Lee Jeong-hyo said, "I told the players to go crazy with excitement tomorrow. I told every player to immerse themselves in football and, rather than fear making mistakes, for everyone who came to the stadium, the players and even me as a coach to focus once and get the job done."
Gwangju finished the league in Final B (7th place). However, since beating Bucheon and advancing to the FA Cup final, they recorded 6 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses in the league.
Coach Lee Jeong-hyo smiled and said, "From Final B we prepared for the December FA Cup final. Results are important, but the players are growing, and I hope they felt how time approached their own growth. I hope through experience the players dream of higher places."
He added, "After reaching the FA Cup final, momentum arose for the squad and for me. The final match had great merit even after going into Final B. It's an opportunity for the players to make good memories. That's why we carried it through," revealing his craving for the trophy.
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