Recap: Daejeon Citizen 3-1 Gyeongnam FC

Daejeon Citizen 3-1 Gyeongnam FC

The Purples bounced back from their 1-0 reverse at Anyang with aplomb, comfortably displacing the in-form Gyeongnam on Monday night in a 3-1 victory.

Daejeon players celebrate with the home faithful

Thanks to goals from Jin Dae-Sung, Gustavo Sauerbeck, and Kim Dong-Chan, said win kept Citizen’s sights firmly on the playoff places with the gap between fourth place still only at six points.

Both teams enjoyed spells of possession in the opening 20 minutes with Cristian Danalache proving a nuisance for the visitors, but once Daejeon got a foothold in the game, with their slick and intelligent passing, they began to develop a rhythm.

Daejeon’s efforts did not go unrewarded as on 38 minutes, thanks to the the ever-industrious Jin Dae-Sung’s sheer persistence, the home side produced a goal out of almost absolute nothing.

Midfield prodigy Hwang In-Beom played a neat through ball towards Jin Dae-Sung who calmly took the ball down and with just two touches found himself in front of goal.

Despite initially getting the better of the two defenders, one of whom was sprawling on the floor, an outstretched leg stole the ball from under the feet of Daejeon’s number 17.

But, the on loan Jeju United forward, who had been a thorn in Gyeongnam’s side, persisted and toe-poked the ball into the bottom corner, wrong-footing Ha Jin-Kang between the sticks for Gyeongnam.

Despite Daejeon going in at the break a goal to the good against one of the league’s in-form teams, the Purples did not rest on the laurels; starting the second half much like they ended the first.

Daejeon were bright and pressed from the front and, in a similar fashion to the first goal, Daejeon forced a second.

Jin Dae-Sung launched a looping and somewhat hopeful ball forward towards Gustavo who seemed to be second best against two Gyeongnam defenders who, given a degree of assertion, would have dealt with the loose ball.

However, neither did and Gustavo smelled blood, making a beeline for the ball between the two frankly cumbersome central defenders.

The young Brazilian used his frame to ward off any attempts of recovery and with the flat-footed goalkeeper initial hesitance to rush out, Gustavo coolly dinked the ball into an empty net.

Daejeon, now, 2-0 up and very much in the ascension.

Kim Dong-Chan, whose tireless running and clever movement freed up space for both Jin Dae-Sung and Gustavo, effectively sealed the points in typical fashion on 75 minutes

Again, Jin Dae-Sung, who was in the thick of it once again by laying on his second assist of the game, got to the byline, cut in and unleashed a venomous shot on goal.

The ‘keeper could only parry and, unfortunately for him and indeed Gyeongnam, the crafty veteran Kim Dong-Chan was on hand to mop up and fire home from close range.

In the dying minutes of the game Cristian Danalache netted a scant consolation goal for Gyeongnam, converting from the penalty spot but the game was effectively over.

Daejeon were as good as Gyeongnam were poor, with the home side using intelligent passing to patiently build attacks.

But, what was most impressive was Daejeon’s desire and determination, which was evident in the first two goals of the evening.

Fourth-placed Bucheon 1995 are six points ahead and have a game in hand over seventh-placed Daejeon but with more performances like Monday night, Daejeon could be a dark horse for the playoffs.

Teams: