'9-game winless streak broken, back-to-back wins revive Daejeon' — Anyang defeated 2-1... 'Finally,' mid-table looks within reach with consecutive goals from Ju Min-gyu and Anton [Anyang On-site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

After falling into a nine-game winless slump, Daejeon Hana Citizen defeated FC Anyang on the road, securing back-to-back victories and continuing its upward momentum.

On the 8th at 8 p.m., Daejeon secured a 2-1 away victory over Anyang in the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 Round 22 match held at Anyang Sports Complex.

With this win, Daejeon improved to 6 wins, 8 draws, and 8 losses (26 points), maintaining ninth place while intensifying its push toward the mid-table. After escaping a nine-game winless slump, the team has now won two consecutive matches. In contrast, Anyang fell into a two-match losing streak, dropping to sixth place with 7 wins, 9 draws, and 6 losses (30 points).

The home team Anyang deployed a 4-3-3 formation featuring Choi Geon-ju, Blaze, and Yukichi up front. In midfield stood Kim Bo-kyung, Knezevic, and Lee Jin-yong, while the back four consisted of Kim Dong-jin, Kim Young-chan, Lee Chang-yong, and Kang Ji-hoon. Goalkeeper Jang Geum-hoon wore the gloves.

The away team Daejeon countered with a 4-4-2 formation featuring Ju Min-gyu and Maza as strikers. Rubikson, Kang Yun-seong, Kim Bong-soo, and Eom Won-sang formed the midfield line, while Lee Myung-jae, Anton, Jo Seong-kwon, and Kim Moon-hwan constructed the defensive back four. Lee Chang-geun guarded the goal.

Daejeon gained early control in midfield from the start of the first half and scored the opening goal to seize the initiative. In the 17th minute, Rubikson's header shot from inside the box deflected off the goalkeeper; Ju Min-gyu surged forward and tapped it in to take a 1-0 lead.

Anyang struggled with transitions after conceding the first goal. Defensively, they repeatedly allowed space to opposing striker Ju Min-gyu, while offensively, their frontman Blaze was contained by Daejeon's defense. Daejeon actively utilized wide players like Rubikson and Eom Won-sang to shake Anyang's defensive wall.

Momentum carried Daejeon further ahead. In the 40th minute of the first half, Lee Myung-jae delivered a sharp cross from a corner kick, which Anton finished with a powerful header to extend the lead to 2-0.

Trailing by two goals, Anyang immediately made tactical changes at the start of the second half, bringing on Kwon Kyung-won and Mateus while substituting out Lee Jin-yong and Kim Bo-kyung. With central defender Kwon Kyung-won advancing to a defensive midfield role and Mateus orchestrating attacks, Anyang began to regain control of the match flow.

Daejeon did not remain passive. In the 10th minute of the second half, Kang Yun-seong's header from a corner kick struck the right post and went out, leaving Daejeon with regret. Anyang responded in the 13th minute by substituting Kim Woon for Blaze to alter their front line.

Anyang scored a consolation goal. In the 16th minute of the second half, Lee Chang-yong connected with Mateus's cross from a corner kick via a header, breaking through Daejeon's net. Having succeeded in the chase, Anyang posed strong threats to Daejeon's goal in the 18th minute through consecutive shots by Mateus.

Thereafter, a back-and-forth battle unfolded. Daejeon created a one-on-one opportunity when Eom Won-sang received Ju Min-gyu's penetrating pass, but the shot was saved by goalkeeper Jang Geum-hoon.

Both teams' managers activated substitution cards to launch all-out attacks. In the 24th minute of the second half, Anyang replaced Choi Geon-ju with Chae Hyun-woo, while Daejeon substituted out Ju Min-gyu and Maza for Diogo and Kim Hyun-wook. In the 28th minute, Daejeon further strengthened its defense by bringing on Ha Chang-rae.

Anyang's relentless attack continued. In the 35th minute of the second half, Kim Dong-jin headed Mateus's cross from the right flank, but it was blocked by goalkeeper Lee Chang-geun's superb save. Daejeon brought in Jeong Jae-hee and Lee Soon-min in the 38th minute to replace Kim Bong-soo and Eom Won-sang, while Anyang substituted Han Ga-ram for Yukichi in the 39th minute.

In the final moments of the match, Anyang made an extreme tactical move by promoting central defenders Kim Young-chan and Kwon Kyung-won to forward positions. Kim Young-chan won a free kick during an aerial duel, creating one last chance.

No additional goals were scored during five minutes of stoppage time in the second half. Daejeon held on to its one-goal lead until the end to secure the victory.

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*This content was translated by AI.