'To stop iLand's five-game winning streak,' Coach Cha Du-ri says, "Even if we couldn't beat them last season, last year is last year; opportunities come in the second half" [Mokdong on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Cha Du-ri (46), head coach of Hwaseong FC, has declared his resolve to halt Seoul iLand's five-game winning streak.

Hwaseong will travel to Mokdong Stadium's main field to face Seoul iLand in the 'Hana Bank K League 2 2026 Round 9' match at 2 p.m. on the 26th.

For 12th-place Hwaseong (9 points), which has been on an upward trend with two consecutive unbeaten matches (one win, one draw), Seoul iLand is a formidable opponent. Seoul iLand has climbed to third place with 16 points while riding a four-game winning streak. Notably, during their winning run, Seoul iLand has scored 11 goals while conceding only two, showcasing a solid offensive and defensive balance.

Before the match, Coach Cha Du-ri acknowledged the opponent's strong lineup. He said, "The opponent is on an upward trend and has an excellent offensive and defensive balance. Their attackers have outstanding problem-solving abilities, and their defensive organization has improved, making them a team with an excellent overall rhythm."

However, he is determined not to simply yield. Coach Cha Du-ri stated, "Since iLand is a team that consistently applies high pressing, we must not just wait but cleverly find and exploit spaces. If the gaps between our players widen, we could be overwhelmed by their superior individual abilities, so we will maintain compactness and deliver a decisive blow when the opportunity arises."

He identified the first half as the turning point of the match. Coach Cha Du-ri said, "I always believe that if we don't concede a goal in the first half, opportunities will definitely come in the second half. We have focused on defensive concentration inside the box. If we can safely get through the first half without conceding, a good game will unfold in the second half."

He also did not hide his expectations for the 'hidden cards' who will shake up the front line and the flanks. Regarding rookie Kim Dae-hwan, he praised, "Having a player who performs excellently regardless of position is a great fortune for a coach."

On the pressure from last season's winless record against iLand (two draws, one loss), he drew a firm line. Coach Cha Du-ri said, "Last year is last year," and added, "iLand is also playing a much stronger pressing style than last year, so I expect this to be a very exciting match."

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*This content was translated by AI.