Match Preview: Gwangju FC vs Daegu FC

No team looks easy to beat and both Gwangju FC and Daegu FC might take for granted a win against each other on opening day of K League Classic. This game will be a touchstone to gauge their chances to survive the Classic. Which side will be smiling at end of the match?
(Photo via blog.naver.com/withkleague)

Gwangju FC vs Daegu FC : Preview

Previous Meetings

22.03.14 (Home) : 2-1 (W)

30.06.14 (Away) : 1-2 (L)

23.08.14 (Home) : 0-0 (D)

11.10.14 (Away) : 0-1 (L)

The latest meeting between them was 3 years ago in the Challenge. After that there has never been a chance as Gwangju FC got promoted from a play-off spot at the end of the 2014 season. In 2014, Daegu only got 4 points from 4 games with a win in the opening match and a draw later in the season.

Gwangju will have fond memories of Daegu because they were the first team Gwangju hosted and earned three points from in their founding season in 2011. So, they might be thinking of that opening match in 2011 even today. For Daegu fans, Daegu hadn't won an opening match since 2003 until they met Gwangju on opening day in 2014. On that day it was Daegu finally ended its shameful history to beat them.

What to Watch

How well is Gwangju FC prepared to make up for the exit of Jung Jo-gook and Lee Chan-dong?

Kim Min hyuk will lead Gwangju as a vice-captain
Photo via Gwangju FC Facebook(www.facebook.com/gjfc2010)

Gwangju FC lost the spine of their team with the departures of defensive mifielder Lee Chan-dong, and top scorer and 2016 MVP, Jung Jo-gook. However, they still have some players who can do those jobs. Kim Min-hyuk had 3 goals and 8 assists from 36 appearances last year, and is expected to replace Lee Chan-dong in the midfield. Moreover, he has been appointed as a vice-captain this year. Up top Song Seung-min had 4 goals from 38 appearances last season, and Cho Ju-young was a top scorer during the preseason in Portugal. In the net they still have Yoon Bo-sang who only conceded 21 goals from 22 games which is an absolutely brilliant achievement given Gwangju’s position in the table. Lastly, one of the biggest weapons they have is their manager, Nam Gi-ill, who has guided Gwangju to the Classic.

Will Daegu arrive safely in Classic?

Daegu had a great time with its fans to celebrate the return to the Classic and have resolution.
Photo via Daegu FC Facebook (www.facebook.com/daegufc2002)

Daegu FC has been successful for the last two years in Challenge, but this competition will be much more difficult. As I mentioned in the Season Preview key points, they have to keep a close look at are how well the Brazilians gel with the squad and how to fill up the absence of Cho Hyun-woo, the best goal keeper in the Challenge. Additionally, it's yet to be seen if Rodrigo, who joined our squad recently, is in the starting 11 or not.

Desperate to Survive

This match looks big for both teams. No team looks easy to beat this year and for Gwangju and Daegu, this game is utterly a breeze to get 3 points compared to other teams in the table. So, I think neither team will play passively and they will play to get 3 points from this match. I think the result of this will not disappoint you.