Writer's Chat: Daegu vs Incheon
The first round of the Korean league has finished and it left Daegu and Incheon a
defeat and a scar on their plan. This Saturday, Daegu will firstly host Incheon
Utd at Daegu stadium since 2013. Now both teams are desperate to get three
points to bounce back from the bottom of the table. Here, Daegu columnist,
Muyeol, joins Incheon columnist, Jun Kim to chat about the clash between Daegu
and Incheon.
Muyeol
Asks and Jun Kim Answers
Muyeol: Incheon Utd are notorious for a slow
starter. They always start their season with poor performance, but they get
their job done at the critical moment. Do you think this flow is going to last
this season?
Jun: Yeah they had a real close one last
season, where they literally escaped relegation on the last day of the regular
season. Obviously Incheon don't want to see themselves in similar situation
again this season, although Incheon started with 0-1 defeat against Jeju, we
must admit that Jeju are one of the contenders; fingers crossed, Incheon will
be able to pick up points against teams that are also in the same boat.
Muyeol: What points should be improved from
your opening match's performance?
Jun: Lee Ki-hyung promised to go toe to toe
with our opponents this season; however this didn't happen vs Jeju. Playing with
5 at the back, Incheon looked to counter against Jeju. Unfortunately our
wide-men Song Si-woo and Kim Yong-hwan couldn't create much for Veselinović; leaving him isolated and
fullbacks Choi Jong-hwan and Park Jong-jin were too busy defending.
Hopefully against Daegu, we will see Incheon
put more pressure on Daegu defence and make them backpedal a bit.
Muyeol: Which players do you think we should
be bewared of?
Jun: Incheon lost their inspirational centre
back Jonjić
in December, but luckily we seem to have found ourselves a new talisman in
Gordan Bunoza. Bunoza did extremely well handling Jeju speedsters. Also he has
a great aerial prowess that will definitely shine even up against K League's
physical forwards. I'm sure Daegu attackers will find Bunoza difficult to crack
down.
Jun
Kim Asks and Muyeol Answers
Jun: Daegu are finally back in K League
Classic after a 3-year hiatus; although you guys were close to promotion back
in 2015 season, what has been the major difference between then and 2016?
Muyeol: From my perspective, I would say the
major difference between 2015 and 2016 is “experience”. In 2015, we were also
one of challengers to get a promotion and we fell at the final hurdle in the
end. We were too inexperienced and foolish to run our squad during the whole
season effectively and wisely. Our key players such as Johnathan, Eder, Lee
Jong-sung, were worn-out or suspended for yellow cards when we needed to make a
decision. However, in 2016, we grinded our teeth and made huge efforts to get a
promotion. When we faced turbulence, what we did was that we did our best not
to make a same mistake we did last year. In the end, we crossed the threshold
we couldn’t cross in 2015 after beating Daejeon 1-0 with a striking goal by Cesinha.
Jun: Who are your key players?
Muyeol: Our crucial player is, I would say, Cesinha
with 11 goals and 8 assists from 36 games last year. He sealed the promotion
with his goal at the final round of last season and he is able to create many chances
and crack defense line with his dribbling skills. Unfortunately, he was not
very sharp against Gwangju but he will be okay soon.
Jun: What to expect from Daegu this season?
Muyeol: There’s nothing important than survival
for us. If everything goes well as planned, you can see us smile at the final
round, but if not, I am not sure. Then we need to find something else so that
we can get motivated by the end of the season. And it would be interesting for
you to see how many spectators will fill up the stadium.
Jun: Can you tell us a little bit about the
new stadium project?
Muyeol: As I tweeted it, the construction is
ongoing at where Daegu civic stadium was near Daegu Station. Until last
February, the old stadium was mostly dismantled and now levelling is ongoing as
far as I know. According to local press, the newly built stadium will have a
capacity of 12,000 seats and will be football-specific. It will be made of
convertible materials like aluminum so that it can be enlarged in case in the
future.
A prototype of newly being built stadium (photo via local newspaper http://imaeil.com) |
Building up new stadium was introduced to the
regeneration of this site as Samsung Lions(baseball club) moved in to the new
ball park near Daegu stadium. So, by the end of next year, this region
including stadium will be converted into football specific area and picnic
parks for citizens. (Currently, auxiliary pitch is being used by Daegu FC for
youth clubs) Besides, club house will be built up as well near Daegu Stadium.
Both facilities will have finished by the end of next year.
Jun: How do you think the game (vs Incheon)
will go?
Muyeol: Many Daegu fans were disappointed at
the result of the first game of this season and some of them are already
concerned about our future. Of course I am one of them. However, it was only a
game played and still 35 games left to play. So, I will try to be positive.
Definitely, we have to get 3 point from this game to bounce back.
Both teams would be fighting over 3 points
but it doesn’t seem like many goals will be scored. I guess the game could go
boring and the winner could be decided by only goal the late time. But I am not
sure who is going to be a winner. Hopefully it would be us.
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