Big Club Bias.

Shaun Morris. Coach Gyeongnam English Youth Football Club

 Big club bias was there for everyone to see at Jeonbuk’s World Cup Stadium in Jeonju on Sunday afternoon. Whether you attended the game or watched it on the television it was evident. Even if you weren’t there and don’t care about the fortunes of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (big club) or Gyeongnam FC (small club) you’ll have experienced the very same thing at some point in your football supporting career. It is when the big club receives all the decisions and there are magical amounts of injury time added until they score an equaliser or winner.

 Gyeongnam FC＇ who are flying high in the K-League＇ ranked unexpectedly at number one＇ visited the home of current K-League champions Jeonbuk. The home side have got off to a sluggish start to their title defence and before kick off were ranked fifth. Gyeongnam by all rights shouldn’t be the number one club. Not because they don’t play pleasing on the eye attacking football or because they have a strong defensive unit. But because they are not backed by one of the huge chaebols. Gyeongnam are in all intents and purposes a publicly funded team. Hyundai- one of the world’s largest and most profitable companies fund Jeonbuk. Unsurprisingly given the club’s rather crude name.

 After taking the lead through Kim Don Chan in the 30th minute＇ Gyeongnam looked comfortable. The team from Changwon should’ve doubled their lead before the break when Kim Dong Chan turned villain as he missed a glorious chance clean through one on one with the goalkeeper＇ Kwon Soon Tae＇ after a swift counter attack. As it turned out Gyeongnam would rue that fluffed chance.

 Jeonbuk had lots of possession in the second half but failed to create much of a threat. Kim Byung Ji and his defenders looked solid＇ impenetrable. And they would’ve remained unbeaten if there was any kind of justice＇ Jeonbuk just didn’t create any kind of decent chance. However＇ as ‘little’ Gyeongnam don’t have Hyundai in their corner it wasn’t to be. Hyundai incidentally also sponsor the K-League and fund Ulsan and Busan＇ which clearly can not be correct- but that’s a discussion for a later date.

 An incredible eight minutes of injury was played. That’s right＇ EIGHT! The final kick of the match was the equaliser. There were no incidents to justify that amount of stoppage time. I won’t simply snipe at the phony time keeping. On two occasions Gyeongnam players went down with＇ what looked like cramp and needed to be stretchered off the field. I don’t want to say that they were not the victims of cramp but they seemed to cope well enough last weekend without any problems when they were chasing the victory. The second time Gyeongnam temporarily went down to ten men Jeonbuk scored.

 Cho Kwang Rae＇ banished to the stands for this game after an outburst during the Seongnam game＇ should feel livid about the eight minutes of injury time. But he should be even more furious at his players for wasting time and making the referee＇ rightly＇ send them off the field for treatment.

 Despite the 1-1 draw Gyeongnam remain top of the standings and if they beat Busan I’Park on Wednesday will be top over the summer break. They could be an inspiration to all other publicly owned clubs in the K-League. Yet＇ I would still back a chaebol club to lift the trophy as big club bias will really come into force if it looks like a small club could win the league come the end of the season.

 * 경남FC의 어린이 영어 축구교실 코치인 숀 모리스가 작성한 칼럼입니다. 본 칼럼은 숀 모리스의 개인적인 생각들로 경남FC가 추구하는 내용과 차이가 있을 수 있습니다.