"We must win to reach Final A": Incheon United manager Yoon Jung-hwan issues warning, "If we rush too much, everything could fall apart" [On-site in Incheon]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Ahead of what is known as a "guillotine match" for a spot in the Final A group (upper split), Yoon Jung-hwan, manager of Incheon United, stated, "We are in a situation where we absolutely must win," while adding, "If we rush too much, everything could end up ruined."

Speaking to reporters ahead of the final regular-season match of Round 33 of the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 season against Jeju SK, scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 24th at Incheon Football Stadium, Manager Yoon said, "We need to control things better. We must not rush, because only then can we play the kind of game we are good at. I emphasized that point a lot."

Incheon, currently ranked seventh with 43 points (11 wins, 10 draws, 11 losses), trails sixth-place Jeju (46 points) by three points. If Incheon wins today, they will overtake Jeju on goal difference to climb into sixth place and advance to the Final A group. Conversely, if the result is a draw or worse, Jeju will secure the last spot in the Final A group.

Manager Yoon said, "We have always prepared as usual. But since today's match is another important game, I talked a lot about needing to be mentally better prepared than anything else." He added, "If we had lost to Gangwon FC last time, this opportunity might not have existed. In a way, it seems like we were lucky. We need to make the most of this chance. It's the same for any team; there doesn't seem to be a script."

Regarding hundreds of fans gathering to cheer for the team bus before the match, Manager Yoon said with a smile, "I think it will be a huge boost for the players. It's something I always feel, but it is majestic. There is a certain resonance in my heart, and I am very grateful. We have to play well to live up to that."

In response, Sergio Costa, manager of Jeju SK, said, "We prepared exactly as we always do. I know this match is decisive, but what we have shown this season will not be forgotten. We are having a very high-quality season. We focused on our game model in preparing for the match. We prepared by looking at Incheon's strengths and weaknesses."

He continued, "I am trying not to cling too much to the upper split. Of course, we want it, but our goal was to grow more than in previous seasons, and regardless of today's result, the players will be very proud." He added, "I believe that how well we control the emotional aspect will be decisive in today's match. We made a lot of effort to eliminate the pressure and anxiety among the players."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original