'Hwang Sun-hong' Era: Daejeon Breaks Three-Game Losing Streak... Draws 2-2 with Bucheon, Ends Losing Run in First Match After Break [Daejeon On-Site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

Professional soccer team Daejeon Hana Citizen broke its three-game losing streak. Although they did not secure a win, they succeeded in shifting momentum in their first match after more than a month-long World Cup break.

Led by head coach Hwang Sun-hong, Daejeon drew 2-2 with Bucheon FC in a home game of the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 Round 16 held at Daejeon World Cup Stadium on the 4th.

Daejeon took the lead with Rubikson's opening goal in the 6th minute of the second half but conceded a consecutive goal just two minutes later, allowing Bucheon to take the lead. After mounting an offensive push for an equalizer, Daejeon secured one point with a dramatic late equalizing goal.

With this draw, Daejeon ended its three-game losing streak that had begun since the May 9 match against Pohang Steelers. Their points total stood at 17 (4 wins, 5 draws, 7 losses), maintaining 10th place. However, failing to win again today extended their home record this season to 4 draws and 5 losses in nine home games, prolonging their "home drawless" streak.

In contrast, Bucheon recorded two consecutive unbeaten matches (1 win, 1 draw) by adding a victory over Pohang Steelers just before the break. With 18 points (4 wins, 6 draws, 6 losses), they maintained 9th place in the standings.

Daejeon will face Jeju SK away on the 12th, aiming to end their five-game unbeaten streak (2 draws, 3 losses). Bucheon will challenge for a three-game unbeaten run against Kim Cheon (SVP) on the 11th.

Daejeon deployed Joo Min-kyu at the forefront, with Rubikson and Seo Jin-soo Joao Victor positioned in the second line. Lee Hyun-sik and Kim Bong-su coordinated in midfield. Lee Myung-jae, Anton, Ha Chang-rae, and Kang Yun-seong formed the defensive line, while Lee Chang-keun guarded the goal. In defense, Rubikson dropped back to act as a wingback, effectively shaping up in a 5-4-1 formation.

Bucheon countered with a 3-4-3 formation centered around Gabriel, with Galego and Kim Min-jun on both flanks. An Taehyun, Kim Sang-jun, Kazu, and Tai Kang Yao formed the midfield. Patrick, Baek Dong-gyu, and Hong Sung-wook stood as the three center-backs.

Daejeon controlled possession in the first half, targeting Bucheon's gaps through counterattacks. In the 10th minute, Kim Bong-su attempted a right-footed mid-range shot from directly in front of the arc. Bucheon responded in the 17th minute with a Gabriel shot following a free kick, but it went straight at the goalkeeper.

Daejeon then increased ball possession to target Bucheon's goal but struggled to convert chances. In the 21st minute, Seo Jin-soo's counterattack shot hit a defender and went out. Seven minutes later, Kim Sang-jun's mid-range shot from Bucheon also missed the target. The first half ended scoreless.

In the 6th minute of the second half, Daejeon missed a crucial opportunity. Joao Victor broke through on the right flank and delivered a low cross into the penalty area to Joo Min-kyu, who was positioned directly in front of the box. Joo Min-kyu connected with a right-footed non-stop shot without defensive interference, but the shot went wide and headed straight at the goalkeeper.

Joo Min-kyu quickly expressed his frustration. Rubikson, who had penetrated from the left flank, passed into the penalty area. Joo Min-kyu, controlling the ball inside the box, scored with a right-footed turning shot that cleanly found the back of the net.

However, Daejeon's lead did not last long. Bucheon equalized within three minutes. In a counterattack, goalkeeper Lee Chang-keun made a "super save" by kicking away Gabriel's shot with his foot. But the high-bouncing ball was connected by An Taehyun with a non-stop shot that shook Daejeon's net.

Momentum shifted to Bucheon, who turned the match around. In the 14th minute of the second half, Gabriel headed in Kazu's free kick delivered from the left flank, finding the back of the net. Bucheon successfully overturned the deficit just eight minutes after conceding the first goal.

Desperate, Daejeon made substitutions: Diogo replaced Joo Min-kyu, and Eom Won-sang replaced Joao Victor. Eom Won-sang returned to action after missing time since an injury in April. Daejeon increased possession to exploit Bucheon's gaps. In the 24th minute of the second half, Lee Myung-jae's free kick struck the crossbar, leaving them frustrated.

Coach Hwang Sun-hong made further changes in the 29th minute, bringing on Kim Hyun-wook and Jung Jae-hee for Rubikson and Lee Hyun-sik. In the 32nd minute, Daejeon seized a crucial equalizing chance through a counterattack. Seo Jin-soo received Diogo's pass from the left side of the penalty area and connected with a right-footed shot, but it was blocked by the defense.

Daejeon built up play from the back to find gaps in Bucheon's defense. However, Bucheon dropped their forward line below the half-line to thicken their defensive block. During this process, both teams exchanged sharp counterattacks. In the 37th minute of the second half, Daejeon finally broke through. Seo Jin-soo received Diogo's penetrating pass from the right flank and scored with a right-footed shot that found the back of the net.

Daejeon introduced Yu Kang-hyun as their final substitution to show determination for a "comeback goal." Bucheon, seemingly unsatisfied with a draw, responded with sharp counterattacks. However, Yu Kang-hyun's shot in stoppage time hit the side netting, and no team managed to shake the opponent's net again. In a high-scoring thriller with four goals, the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

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*This content was translated by AI.