Hwaseong FC Head Coach Cha Du-ri: "Key Point for Beating Ansan Is Mental Strength" [On-site at Hwaseong]

*This content was translated by AI.

Ahead of the K League 2 match against Ansan Greeners, Hwaseong FC Head Coach Cha Du-ri praised Ansan's recent performance, stating, "If we do not prepare well, it could be dangerous."

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Hana Bank K League 2 2026 Round 10 match against Ansan at Hwaseong Comprehensive Sports Town's main stadium on the 3rd, Coach Cha said, "Ansan is playing well. They are very aggressive, and especially their foreign players are highly capable."

Coach Cha added, "They have the quality to score difficult goals. Defensively, they show strong will in aerial duels and play tough, organized soccer. Their overall approach is very impressive, and I believe we could be in trouble if we don't prepare properly."

At the same time, Coach Cha Du-ri expressed determination to continue their unbeaten streak in three consecutive matches (two wins, one draw) by using Ansan as a stepping stone. Hwaseong has recently defeated Jeonnam Dragons and Seoul E-Land, while drawing with Gimpo FC, showing a clear upward trend.

Emphasizing that the key to beating Ansan lies in the "mental aspect," Coach Cha noted, "After a big or good match, players may become mentally relaxed or satisfied the following week. If the players approach this game with the same preparation as they did for the E-Land match, I believe they can definitely deliver a strong performance."

In response, Ansan Head Coach Choi Moon-sik evaluated, "After watching Hwaseong's game, I see that Coach Cha Du-ri has built a solid, well-organized team. They seem to have prepared well physically. By enduring difficult moments, they are now producing results that stand out."

Coach Choi further emphasized, "Our team has been creating scoring opportunities in every match. I believe these moments form the foundation of the soccer I envision. These aspects have become areas for improvement, leading to the changed and improved Ansan we see today."

Regarding Ryu Seung-woo (33), who has been left out of the lineup for three consecutive matches including today, Coach Choi remarked with a wry smile, "I first met him when he was 19. A lot of time has passed since then. His calves must have aged just as much."

Coach Choi added, "If we push too hard now out of ambition, we risk forcing him to retire sooner than necessary. If we look a bit further ahead, he can continue his playing career more sustainably. That's why we are managing his condition carefully."

For today's match, Hwaseong will field Petrov at the center, with Kim Byung-oh and Flana on both flanks. Park Kyung-min, Lee Jong-seong, Kim Jung-min, and Kim Dae-hwan will form the midfield. Jang Min-jun, Boyanovic, and Park Jun-seo will make up the defensive line, while Kim Seung-keon will guard the goal.

Ansan will start Lima and Mazup up front, with Jin Ho-jin, Jo Ji-hoon, Kim Geon-oh, and Kang Dong-hyun in midfield. Jang Hyun-soo, Obradovic, Hatszel, and Lim Ji-min will form the defensive line, with Lee Seung-bin in goal. Hwaseong sits in 8th place with 12 points (3 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses), while Ansan is in 10th with 11 points (3 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses).

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*This content was translated by AI.