'First win in 10 games' Daejeon Hana Citizen head coach Hwang Sun-hong: "Still a long way to go... the atmosphere has improved slightly" [Anyang on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Despite successfully turning around the team's mood with a home victory, there is still a long way to go. Head coach Hwang Sun-hong of Daejeon Hana Citizen aims for consecutive wins on the road.

Daejeon will face FC Anyang at 8 p.m. on the 8th at Anyang Stadium in the 22nd round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2026.

Daejeon, once considered a strong contender for the championship this season, has fallen short of expectations. With five wins, eight draws, and eight losses (23 points), they currently sit in ninth place. After drawing 2-2 against Bucheon FC1995, the team failed to win in four consecutive matches and struggled to accumulate points, including a 2-3 loss against Kim Cheon (SVP).

It is encouraging that Daejeon turned the tide with a decisive 2-0 victory over Gwangju FC at home. Since May, the team had not secured a single win in nine matches.

In a pre-match interview, head coach Hwang Sun-hong commented on the recent team atmosphere: "There is a clear difference between when players are winning and preparing versus when they are not. The victory against Gwangju FC has slightly improved our mood, but we still have a long way to go."

For today's match, Daejeon will field Joo Min-kyu and MASA as the striking duo, with Rubikson, Kang Yun-seong, Kim Bong-soo, and Eom Won-sang deployed in midfield. Lee Myung-jae, Anton, Jo Seong-kwon, and Kim Moon-hwan will form a back four defense, while Lee Chang-geun will guard the goal. Both Kim Moon-hwan and Kim Bong-soo, who played for Manchester City during the midweek K League schedule, are included in the starting lineup.

Regarding his tactical approach of high pressing and the challenge of hot weather, head coach Hwang Sun-hong explained: "Daejeon aims to press from the front, but maintaining a high energy level throughout 90 minutes is not easy. I have instructed players to give their all even if they play only 60 minutes, but it is crucial to clearly distinguish when to press and when to hold back in order to reduce physical strain."

On the decision to delay kickoff by 30 minutes from the original time, he said: "It is fortunate that temperatures are slightly lower than at 7:30 p.m., but without sufficient physical conditioning, tactical execution becomes difficult, leading to greater concern over substitution strategies. We must be prepared to handle unexpected situations where players feel physically heavy or under excessive load."

Opponents Anyang are a formidable opponent, currently sitting in fifth place with seven wins, nine draws, and five losses (30 points). After the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup break, they recorded four wins, one draw, and one loss in six matches, showcasing strong momentum. However, their upward trend was halted by a 1-3 away defeat to Ulsan HD on the 2nd.

Head coach Hwang Sun-hong stated: "The away match against Anyang is by no means easy. Daejeon must prepare for every game as if it were a final. Winning one match is not enough; we must use today's game to build greater confidence among the players."

He further added regarding Anyang: "Although they made mistakes and conceded goals in previous matches, their recent form has been solid, especially at home where they display remarkable resilience. We need to confront them strongly."

Explaining why mobile attackers such as Yoo Kang-hyun, Seo Jin-soo, and Jung Jae-hee were kept on the bench, he said: "There is not a significant difference in ability between the starters and these substitutes. However, we need players who can maintain energy levels in the front line during the second half when fatigue sets in, so we have gathered all attacking resources. We will decide on their entry timing based on the flow of the game."

Finally, regarding the condition of Kim Moon-hwan and Kim Bong-soo, who returned after playing midweek K League matches, he added: "Kim Bong-soo played about 30 minutes, while Kim Moon-hwan played around 45 minutes. Since they are accustomed to such durations even during high-intensity training sessions, there should be no major issues with their performance or physical condition."

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*This content was translated by AI.