By Pearse McLaughlin
Kim In-Kyun’s dramatic equaliser in stoppage time ensured Daejeon Hana Citizen claimed a point here at Daejeon World Cup Stadium as it finished 1-1.
Daejeon Hana Citizen boss, Lee Min-Sung has gone with the same formation that won 2-1 last time out away to Gangwon FC. In terms of personnel changes, he has altered his time slightly with three changes as Byeon Jun-Soo, Lee Hyun-Sik, and Lee Jin-Hyun come into replace Kim Min-Deok, Oh Jae-Seok, and Kim Young-Wook.
Gwangju FC boss, Lee Jung-Hyo has gone with his tried and trusted 4-4-2 formation and you can’t blame him as Gwangju FC are on a terrific vein of form as they have won four games on the spin. Lee Jung-Hyo has also made three personnel changes as in comes Ahn Young-Kyu, Lee Soo-Min, and Thomas to replace Aaron Calver, Lee Kang-Hyeon, and Lee Heui-Kyun.
Breakthrough for Gwangju FC on the 41st minute courtesy of Jeong Ho-Yeon with one of the goals of the season! What a goal that was by Jeong Ho-Yeon as he looked for passing options, but they were marked, so he kept advancing with the ball, and just thought why not? A wonder strike that kept rising and crashed in off the underside of the crossbar and into the top right-hand corner. 1-0 to the visitors.
Gwangju FC lead 1-0 at the break courtesy of a wonder strike by Jeong Ho-Yeon. It has been an even affair so far without many clear-cut opportunities created by either side. Although, Gwangju FC have had the bulk of possession and have looked very dangerous on the counterattack with Thomas and Jasir Asani being the main instigators. Daejeon will be hoping to get their key men more on the ball as we haven’t seen enough of Leandro who is their danger man. It’s all set for a blockbuster second half.
A major opportunity on the 51st minute for Daejeon Hana Citizen as crash a shot off the crossbar from just outside the box as Joo Se-Jong tried his luck with a brilliantly left footed curling effort just left of the “D” as he tried to score into the far corner. Extremely unlucky but great try. Daejeon Hana Citizen have come out the traps flying gunning for this equaliser.
On the 73rd minute Lee Soo-Min shifts inside past Kim Young-Wook and curls in a brilliant effort at goal which was destined for the top right-hand corner, but Lee Chang-Geun got two hands to it and parried it behind. The resulting corner Lee Sang-Gi managed to evade his marker and got a free header on the penalty spot, but it flashed wide of the left hand post major opportunities for Gwangju FC to put this game out of sight. Will it comeback to haunt them? It remains 1-0.
With just 4 minutes left of normal time substitute Yoo Kang-Hyun managed to isolate Gwangju’s full back, Lee Sang-Gi doing a couple of stepovers before cutting inside a firing a shot at goal, but Timo Letschert came across and diverted the ball behind. Yoo Kang-Hyun’s deflected strike hit the side netting as the ball spun kindly in Gwangju’s favour.
Late drama in the 93rd minute of the match as Kim In-Kyun fires in a dramatic equaliser with a left footed volley which he caressed into the back of the net. It was great initial play by substitute Masatoshi Ishida done brilliantly to skip past Lee Soo-Min and dig out a cross to the back post where Kim In-Kyun ghosted in to finally break Gwangju’s resolve. 1-1 game on.
A mere 120 seconds later and Yoo Kang-Hyun does a Bergkampesque touch and turn and nearly applied the finishing touch if it wasn’t for the athleticism of Jun Lee. It would have been a goal fitting to win any game. Dramatic finish here as it somehow remains 1-1!
It’s all over here as both sides share the spoils. First half Gwangju FC opened the scoring with a wonder strike from Jeong Ho-Yeon in a half where they dominated from start to finish. In the second half, it was another story as Daejeon Hana Citizen came out the traps flying, then dipped and allowed Gwangju FC a few opportunities which they squandered and the most dramatic of circumstances Daejeon Hana Citizen did grab that all important equaliser in the 93rd minute. They could have had a second straight from the restart, but Jun Lee was alert to the danger. Both sides will be happy with the point in the end, but Gwangju FC would have been kicking themselves if they did lose it in the 95th minute. It ends honours even in a terrific football match between two great sides.
Next up for Daejeon Hana Citizen is a difficult away trip to high flying Jeju United after the international break on Saturday the 24th of June who currently occupy 4th position in the table as they look to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.
Next up for Gwangju FC is 3 of their most difficult matches of the season as they face a double header with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors after the international break. Gwangju FC face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the league on Saturday the 24th of June before a cup match on Wednesday the 28th of June. If that wasn’t difficult enough, they then face the champions, Ulsan Hyundai 4 days later on Sunday the 2nd of July.
Daejeon Hana Citizen: Lee Chang-Geun, Byeon Jun-Soo, Kim Hyun-Woo (Yoo Kang-Hyun 83’), Anton Krivotsyuk, Lee Hyun-Sik, Joo Se-Jong (Masatoshi Ishida 71’), Lee Jin-Hyun, Seo Young-Jae (Kim In-Kyun 46’), Leandro, Tiago Orobo, Shin Sang-Eun (Kim Young-Wook 53’). Subs not used: San Jung, Lim Eun-Soo, Kim Ji-Hun.
Gwangju FC: Jun Lee, Doo Hyeon-Seok (Lee Sang-Gi 63’), Timo Letschert, Ahn Young-Kyu, Lee Min-Gi (Lee Heui-Kyun 46’), Jasir Asani, Jeong Ho-Yeon, Lee Soon-Min, Jeong Ji-Hoon (Kim Han-Gil 46’), Yool Heo (Park Han-Bin 72’), Thomas (Lee Kang-Hyeon 69’). Subs not used: Roh Hee-Dong, Aaron Calver.
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
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