| Services |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Channels |
| Home & Family |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Leisure |
|
|
|
|
| Technology |
|
|
|
|
|
| Business |
|
|
|
|
| Science |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Site Search  |
|
|
|
|
| Free email |
|
|
|
|
 |
World Leagues - Korean clubs ring the changes |
| Theallineed.com |
The K-League 2006 season resumes next month with two notable changes. The league welcomes a new arrival while another club has undergone a radical transformation. The recently-formed GyeongNam FC become the latest addition to the 14-club league while Bucheon FC is changing name and uprooting to move 300 miles south to a new venue on Jeju island. It was almost inevitable that both would be destined to meet on the opening day of the season.
New experience
GyeongNam FC sprang to life earlier this year and will be based in Changwon - the capital city of GyeongNam Province. Watching regular professional football will be a new experience for denizens of "The Bright Hill" and the newcomers are hoping to attract a high number of spectators to their new home - the 27,000 seater Changwon stadium for their K-League baptism on 12 March.
Taking the reins of the side is former Korea assistant coach of Park Hang-seo, who was part of the technical team that guided the national team to the semi-final of the 2002 FIFA World Cup™. The experienced Park Hang-seo has already made his objectives clear. "Our first aim is to get the public coming to watch us play - and we hope that our exciting style of football will do just that - entice enough fans into the ground so that we can build a loyal following.
"We are hoping that by our second season, we will be firmly established in the league. Ultimately, our goal is to qualify for the championship play-offs in three years," he explains.
Before the birth of GyeongNam FC, the south eastern corner of the Korean peninsular was home to just three clubs - Busan I'Park, Ulsan Horang-i, and Pohang Steelers. All three now face stiff competition from the K-League's new boys in the battle to win over the local fans. For such a relatively-new league, boosting attendance figures is a priority.
Yet even before their much-awaited debut, GyeongNam can already count on the backing of their newly-formed supporters club - the Dandi. As fan club president Kim Gwang-gi points out, "We are trying to build a dedicated fan base, one that identifies completely with GyeongNam".
New signings have certainly given the club's fans something to look forward to. Promising 23-year-old striker Kim Jin-yong has been drafted in from Ulsan Horang-I. He will be joined in attack with Brazilian ace Luciano, who signed from neighbours Busan.
 | | Jeju United will be playing their home games at the Seogwipo FIFA World Cup Stadium. ((AFP) Emmanuel Dunand ) |
Bucheon up sticks
Meanwhile, another club will be kicking off the new season in a new stadium under a new guise. Bucheon FC are quitting their home city of Seoul, relocating to a southern island and will be known from now on as Jeju United.
It isn't the first time that the club has undergone such a transformation. In their previous carnation, as the Yukong Elephants, the club switched names to Bucheon SK after moving to the city of Bucheon - midway between Incheon and Seoul, in 2001.
But like many of their adversaries in the K-League - Jeju are keen to win over new fans. Indeed, it is one of the major reasons behind their move south. They will be taking over the Seogwipo World Cup Stadium, one of 10 stadia built specifically for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and with a seating capacity of 42,256.
Last season, Bucheon recorded the smallest audience in the league for two years in a row. Despite finishing second in the second stage and fourth overall after narrowly missing a place for the play-offs, the club officials have decided it is time to move on.
Bucheon's owners have defended the decision to relocate. Club chairman Chung Soon-ki said, "I want to apologise to Bucheon supporters but there was no other choice. We have been losing money due to falling attendances. Five of the nation's 14 clubs have their base in or around Seoul, which makes it difficult for the K-league to develop in a more balanced manner nationwide."
Those five clubs are FC Seoul, Seongnam Chunma, Suwon Bluewings, Incheon United, and the former Bucheon FC. Not surprisingly, two of them have moved into the densely populated area. Anyang Cheetahs left the city two years ago to install themselves in the Seoul World Cup stadium. The move was a success and under their new name, FC Seoul, they are presently one of the most popular clubs in the country. Chunma did likewise in 1999, moving from Cheonan to Seongnam and won three successive championships between 2001 and 2003.
It is appropriate therefore that the highlight of the opening day of the season will see Jeju welcomed to Changwon by the K-League's youngest members GyeongNam. With the prospect of a mouth-watering clash, attracting fans both new and old should not be too much of a problem.
|
| About the Author |
©2006 All rights reserved
More info in www.fifa.com
|
|
|
| Quotes | Good Night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow.-William Shakespeare
Giving is the highest expression of our power. - Vivian Greene
Go down to the machine room and tell them to empty the bit bucket,and FAST, before this baby overflows. -- Adrian Colley
|
| Writers | | If you are a writer and want to see your article published at Theallineed.com, just click here to submit. |
|
Food prices remain high despite higher output
Why use surveillance systems with CCTV?