Daejeon Citizen vs Gwangju FC Preview

For the third time in as many months, Daejeon welcome the visit of Gwangju FC.

The season is a little over three months old but already the Jeolla-do natives have made the trip north to take on the Purples.

Gwangju, of course, were the other side that won promotion from the K League Challenge last year, having done so via the playoff.

However, it would appear to those who are uninformed that it was in fact Gwangju who stormed the K League Challenge last year given that the K League’s newest team are riding high in fifth place.

Daejeon, however, find themselves in a desperate position – propping up the league 10 points from safety.

At this early stage of the season it wouldn’t be considered as a “must-win” game but it is certainly an “ought-to” win game.

If Daejeon are to have any chance of survival they need to start picking up points sooner rather than later.

True Daejeon fashion will dictate that a late flurry of results will spark an unlikely revival only for it to be too little too late, much like it was in 2013.

But, Daejeon fans will be hoping that history doesn’t repeat itself and that the Purples can show their true colours and start the fight immediately.

Their recent performances have deserved some merit, it has to be said.

Last Wednesday Daejeon played host to the FC Seoul and held them at 0-0 for 80 minutes before taking the lead through Hwang In-Beom.

However, due to a lapse in concentration at the back, FC Seoul managed to equalise with just two minutes remaining thanks to Brazilian hitman Everton Leandro.

Then, almost immediately after, Yun Ju-Tae netted what turned out to be the winner for FC Seoul.

Heartbreak for Citizen whose players were visible distraught, not to mention the fans who thought they were minutes away from a famous victory.

On another day it would have been Daejeon celebrating but, due to the level of the performance, Daejeon can look back on that result and be proud.

Equally, it could be used to spur them on – harness the disappointment and use it to try and salvage their season.

Daejeon have already beaten Gwangju this season, a 1-0 win at Purple Arena in the FA Cup.

Perhaps if the players treat the game like a cup tie they can come out on top.