'Was it going to be postponed again...' They wrote a miracle in the final 5 minutes, Bucheon 0-2→2-2 dramatic draw... Secured K League 1 survival in first season after promotion

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Professional football club Bucheon FC 1995 created a miracle in the final five minutes. It seemed as though their confirmation of K League 1 survival would be delayed again while trailing by two goals, but they scored consecutive goals just before the end of the match to secure a dramatic draw. They also achieved the valuable result of securing their place in the top division for the first season after promotion.

Bucheon, led by manager Lee Young-min, drew 2-2 against Pohang Steelers in their home game at Bucheon Stadium on the 8th in Round 35 of the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 season.

With this result, Bucheon recorded a record of 7 wins, 12 draws, and 16 losses (33 points). While maintaining their 11th-place standing, they confirmed their survival in K League 1 regardless of the results of the remaining matches.

This is because even if bottom-ranked Gwangju FC (23 points) wins all three of its remaining games, it can reach a maximum of 32 points. Bucheon widened the point gap with Gwangju to 10 points, securing at least an 11th-place finish.

In this season's K League 1, Gimcheon Sangmu, whose home ground agreement with Gimcheon City is ending, will be automatically relegated regardless of their performance. If Gimcheon is not in last place, the team in 12th place must play a promotion-relegation playoff against a K League 2 team. Accordingly, Bucheon will be able to compete on the K League 1 stage next season without going through a promotion-relegation playoff.

The process of securing survival was not easy. The start was good. Bucheon showed an impressive performance from its first season in K League 1 after promotion. They caused an upset by defeating 'defending champions' Jeonbuk Hyundai in the opening match, and demonstrated considerable strength by competing in the mid-table until the middle of the league.

However, they faced difficulties toward the end of the season. In their last 10 matches, they recorded 2 draws and 8 losses without a win, and fell into a five-game losing streak up to their previous match against FC Anyang. Meanwhile, bottom-ranked Gwangju also pursued them until the very end.

Before this match against Pohang, Bucheon could confirm survival by adding just one point. While it was certainly a favorable situation, anxiety grew as the confirmation of survival continued to be delayed.

The match against Pohang on this day was not easy either. In the 42nd minute of the first half, Bucheon conceded an unfortunate own goal. When Pohang's Juninho crossed from the right side, defender Patrick tried to head the ball away, but it went into Bucheon's goal instead.

The situation did not improve in the second half either. In the 9th minute of the second half, during a Pohang counterattack, Juninho received a pass from Kim Dong-jin, penetrated into the penalty box, and scored an additional goal with a left-footed shot.

The score was 0-2. It seemed as though Bucheon's confirmation of survival would be delayed to the next match again.

However, Bucheon did not give up. Manager Lee Young-min made changes in the 23rd minute of the second half by substituting Kim Seung-bin and Kim Jong-woo for An Tae-hyun and Sung Ye-gon. In the 30th minute of the second half, he even took a gamble by bringing on Kim Min-jun instead of ace Basani.

This gamble paid off perfectly. Bucheon's counterattack began with five minutes left in regular time.

Bucheon's consolation goal came in the 40th minute of the second half. During a counterattack, Kim Min-jun connected a pass to Gallego, who was sprinting alongside him. Gallego did not miss the opportunity and shook the net with a precise shot.

It was the moment Bucheon closed the gap to 1-2. After scoring one goal, Bucheon pressed even more fiercely. Eventually, a dramatic equalizer came in the 45th minute of the second half.

Kim Min-jun played an important role again this time. He received a low cross from Gallego on the left side inside the penalty box and connected it to the opposite side. Park Jung-in, who was sprinting in, calmly pushed it in to shake the net.

The score became 2-2 in an instant. They had overcome a two-goal deficit in just five minutes.

Bucheon held off Pohang's attacks for the remaining time and finished the match with a draw. It was not a victory, but it was a valuable one point that was no less precious than any win in securing K League 1 survival. Bucheon, which survived in K League 1 in its first season after promotion, is now able to compete in the top division in the 2027 season as well.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original