By Pearse McLaughlin
Cesinha’s first half strike was enough to see Daegu FC emerge victorious 1-0 over relegation threatened Gangwon FC here at DGB Daegu Bank Park. The win did come at a cost though as Cesinha succumbed to injury and Jo Jin-Woo received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Daegu FC boss, Choi Won-Kwon has gone with the exact same side and shape from their previous game against Jeju United at home last Saturday the 26th of August which ended in a 1-0 victory.
Gangwon FC boss, Yoon Jong-Hwan has stuck with the same tried and trusted formation that got a 1-1 draw last time out when they hosted title challengers Pohang Steelers. In terms of personnel changes there has been three changes to the side as in come Kim Woo-Seok, Ikrom Alibaev, and Hwang Mun-Ki to replace Kang Ji-Hoon, Lee Seung-Won, and Seo Min-Woo.
Breakthrough on the 14th minute for Daegu FC courtesy of their talisman, Cesinha with a volley from an impossible angle. It was a long raking ball by Hong Chul who picked out the run of Cesinha in behind the backline of Gangwon FC as Marko Tuci let him get goal side of him. The finish itself was exquisite as Cesinha managed to squeeze from the by-line with a powerful left footed half-volley which flew past Lee Kwang-Yeon and into the back of the net. 1-0 Daegu FC. Top drawer finish.
A few minutes shy of half time has seen Cesinha go down and require medical attention, a stretcher came on the pitch but thankfully it wasn’t required. Not a sight you want to see as Cesinha was down for several minutes before getting to his feet and clutching his rib cage. He has made his way back onto the field of play but doesn’t look comfortable at all and has gone down again requesting a change. Sad to see such a talented player leave the field and hope he makes a speedy recovery. The result of this stoppage in play has seen seven minutes added onto the first half.
Daegu FC lead 1-0 at the break courtesy of a moment of magic from Cesinha who has since been substituted following a nasty collision with Marko Tuci. It has been a half of few clear-cut chances of note, and it has been more of a battle and that’s understandable given the predicament Gangwon FC find themselves in at the foot of the table. As they game has wore on Gangwon FC started to gain more control of the possession without doing anything with it. Gangwon FC will need to throw caution to the wind and try get back into the game whereas Daegu FC will be happy protecting their slim advantage.
Daegu FC were a millimetre away from doubling their lead five minutes after the restart through Jo Jin-Woo’s header which spun off the surfaced awkwardly for Lee Kwang-Yeon as he got two hands to it but spun behind him and he managed to catch the ball at the second attempt just in time. Nearly a clanger by lee Kwang-Yeon. It remains 1-0.
Right on the 90th minute Jo Jin-Woo receives his marching orders after a second yellow card for a cynical pull of Yago Cariello’s jersey after mistimed the flight of the ball. Easy decision for the officials as Jo Jin-Woo halted a dangerous counterattack. Daegu FC will now play the remaining five minutes of stoppage time with 10 men.
It’s all over here at the DGB Daegu Bank Park as the men of Daegu FC cling onto their first half lead to defeat Gangwon FC 1-0 courtesy of Cesinha’s wonder strike. It was a match marred with fouls and stoppages and both sides struggled to gather any momentum or control of the game.
Next up for Daegu FC is a home friendly against J-League 1 side Sagan Tosu on Friday the 8th of September with it being a 7:30pm kick-off time as they look to maintain their fitness during the international break. Daegu FC return to league duty on Sunday the 17th of September as they travel away to face struggling Suwon Samsung Bluewings where they will be hoping to build on their latest victory and hope Cesinha’s injury isn’t serious.
Next up for Gangwon FC is a tough away trip to Jeonju to face high flying Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Saturday the 16th of September once the international break concludes. They will be looking for a better performance as they never threatened the goal of Daegu FC and that will be a worry for Yoon Jong-Hwan as games are running out for Gangwon FC to remain in K-League 1.
Daegu FC: Oh Seung-Ho, Kim Jin-Hyuk (Kim Kang-San 46’), Hong Jeong-Woon, Jo Jin-Woo, Hwang Jae-Won, Park Se-Jin (Lee Yong-Rae 86’), Victor Bobsin, Hong Chul (Keita Suzuki 73’), Go Jae-Hyun (Lee Keun-Ho 73’), Cesinha (Edgar 45+6’), Lucas Barcellos. Subs not used: Choi Young-Woon, Jang Seong-Won.
Gangwon FC: Lee Kwang-Yeon, Kim Young-Bin, Marko Tuci (Jo Hyun-Tae 46’), Kim Woo-Seok (Yun Suk-Young 65’), Ryu Kwang-Hyun, Han Kook-Young, Ikrom Alibaev, Hwang Mun-Ki (Yu In-Soo 61’), Kim Dae-Won (Galego 54’), Vitor Gabriel, Welinton Junior (Yago Cariello 61’). Subs not used: Yoo Sang-Hoon, Lee Jae-Won.
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
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