KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Kuching City FC’s quest for their first win in the 2026/2027 Asian Champions League Two (ACL2) campaign remains unfulfilled after they suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to South Korean club Gangwon FC in their Group H match at Gangwon Stadium today.
Midfielder Choe Byeong-Chan emerged as the home side’s hero, with his first-half goal proving enough to secure Gangwon’s first ACL2 victory of the season.
Chung Kyeong-Ho’s men issued an early warning when left winger Kim Dae-Won’s powerful attempt was parried away by Kuching City goalkeeper Muhammad Haziq Nadzli in the 13th minute.
The home side’s sustained pressure paid off when Kang Joon-Hyuck’s short pass from the right created space for Byeong-Chan to unleash a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, sending the ball into the Kuching City net for the opening goal in the 28th minute.
Stung by the goal, Kuching City, coached by Singaporean Aidil Sharin Sahak, tried to equalise quickly, but winger Muhammad Ramadhan Saifullah Usman’s low shot narrowly missed the left side of the Gangwon goal a minute later.
After the break, Gangwon continued to dominate the match but their blunt attack prevented them from adding to their tally.
The best chance of the second half fell to Byeong-Chan, whose effort from a tight angle on the right sailed over the bar in the 73rd minute, while Kim Dong-Hyun’s shot also went over the crossbar in the 84th minute.
Despite being outplayed by Gangwon, The Cats continued to push for at least a point, but Muhammad Ramadhan’s shot from outside the penalty area went wide to the left in the 80th minute.
Kuching City had failed to win their previous two matches, losing 1-2 to Cambodian side Phnom Penh Crown before drawing 1-1 with Hong Kong representatives Kitchee SC.
Today’s result leaves Kuching City bottom of Group H with one point, while Phnom Penh Crown lead the standings with six points, followed by Gangwon with four and Kitchee with two.
Only the top two teams in each group will advance to the Round of 16.
-- BERNAMA